IRCC to provide financial assistance for Gazans arriving in Canada
Palestinians who have left Gaza will soon receive transitional financial assistance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) when they arrive in Canada.
The department says that this financial assistance will help Gazans to meet their basic needs upon arrival, such as food, shelter, and clothing, while they look for work. IRCC will release more details about the program “when available.”
“Providing settlement and financial support is critical to addressing the immediate challenges faced by Gazans finding safety in Canada,” says Canada’s immigration minister Marc Miller.
Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration
In addition to the financial supports, Gazans fleeing conflict in the region will benefit from:
three months of temporary health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program to help address urgent medical needs upon arrival; and
settlement services such as language training, information about and orientation to life in Canada (such as help enrolling children in school or opening a bank account), and information and services to help them find a job.
So far, 4,245 applications have been accepted into processing under IRCC’s temporary resident pathway for Palestinian extended family in Gaza and 733 people have been approved to come to Canada. These individuals had Temporary Resident Visa applications in progress and were able to submit their biometrics.
IRCC says that movement out of Gaza is “extremely challenging” due to “factors outside of Canada’s control” and that it is working with local authorities to help extended family members of Canadians.
As of October 5, 334 people have arrived in Canada through the temporary public policy.
Canada has also announced that it will provide $140 million in humanitarian assistance funding to help address urgent needs in the Gaza strip, the West Bank, Israel, and neighbouring areas. Funding will go to essentials such as food, water, and emergency medical assistance in these areas.
Wider measures on humanitarian grounds
IRCC has instituted a number of measures for both Palestinian and Israeli citizens who have been impacted by the conflict in the Middle East.
For example, in January of this year IRCC instituted a new policy for Palestinians currently in the Gaza strip who are related* to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident that will support their transition to life in Canada.
*For the purposes of this policy, related is defined as being the:
Spouse or common-law partner;
Children or grandchildren;
Sibling; or
Parents or Grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Successful applicants to this pathway have the opportunity to receive temporary resident status in Canada for up to three years, allowing them to potentially work (on an open work permit) and/or study in the country during this time. Family members of applicants eligible for this pathway could also apply for a study or work permit when joining their family members in Canada.
Concurrently with the above policy IRCC has also streamlined processing of family-class applications for permanent residence (PR) for those with Palestinian family members impacted by the on-going conflict in the region.
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IRCC to provide financial assistance for Gazans arriving in Canada
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum