By Uyghur Times Staff
Ottawa, ON – December 5, 2024
Canada marks a historic milestone as the first Uyghur refugee arrives under the M-62 Resettlement Program, a landmark initiative aimed at offering sanctuary to 10,000 Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims fleeing persecution.
The M-62 motion, introduced by Member of Parliament Sameer Zuberi, was designed to expedite the resettlement of Turkic Muslim refugees facing systemic oppression and human rights abuses. Passed unanimously on February 1, 2023, with 322 votes in the House of Commons, the motion received cross-party support, including from MPs Garnett Genuis, Elizabeth May, Heather McPherson, and Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe.
The program establishes a specialized immigration pathway for Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkic minorities who face persecution, forced displacement, and systemic oppression by the Chinese government. It is set to resettle 10,000 individuals over three years, beginning in 2024.
Sameer Zuberi celebrated the moment with a statement on X:
*”A historic moment. The first Uyghur refugee has arrived in Canada through the M-62 resettlement program. Thank you to all who made this possible! In Feb 2023, M-62 was unanimously adopted, with support from the PM and Cabinet. It called for Canada to welcome 10,000 vulnerable Uyghurs at risk of systematic repression by the CCP. Now, we are witnessing the first step in fulfilling that commitment.”
Mehmet Tohti, Executive Director of the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP), hailed this moment as a new chapter in Canada’s humanitarian efforts. “This is only the beginning,” he said. “We look forward to welcoming many more refugees in the months and years to come, ensuring they find safety, dignity, and opportunity here in Canada.”
This arrival symbolizes Canada’s ongoing commitment to human rights, justice, and providing refuge to those in need. The program is a beacon of hope for many fleeing repression and seeking a new life.