[antiwar-van] IN SANCTUARY: SUPPORT AMIR KAZEMIAN

[noii-van at resist.ca]

SUPPORT AMIR KAZEMIAN IN SANCTUARY!

DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEES !

* please read on to find out how you can help *

Amir Kazemian and his mother came to Canada to escape persecution and
torture in Iran.  His mother has been allowed to stay on the basis of the
perseuction her husband and son faced, but in a manner that exposes the
arbitariness of the refugee determination system, Amir was not granted
refugee status and ordered deported on June 15, 2004.

Both Amir and his father, Freedon Kazemian, were politically active in
opposition to the Khomeni regime in Iran.  Freedon Kazemian became the
leader of an opposition party that is struggling to achieve democracy and
Amir was involved with his father politically.  They were tortured for
this and also imprisoned at different times for 1 and 7 years
respectively.

Amir Kazemi, in danger of torture or even execution if returned to Iran,
has received asylum in the Saint Michael Anglican Church.  In an interview
with the Vancouver Sun, Amir explained his desperation "If the police
come, I've made things to hang me. If they send me over there, they'll
kill me. IT's better I do these things myself. Then everybody can see the
face of humanity in this country."

Currently in Canada, at least five other families remain in sanctuary in a
desperate bid to protect their lives. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Paul
Martin granted status to a Serbian woman in sanctuary in Halifax. We must
continue to pressure the government for a just resolution to inreasingly
inhumane and unjust refugee policies, including the lack of an appeals
process, that force people to seek santuary.


HOW TO SUPPORT AMIR:

1) WRITE A LETTER/ CALL/ OR FAX: see below for sample letter

The Honourable Judy Sgro, P.C., M.P.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 1L1
Fax: 613-947-8319
Tel: 613-992-7774
E-mail: Minister at cic.gc.ca

and

The Honourable Anne McLellan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
c/o Solicitor General of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Fax: 613-990-9077
Tel: 613-991-2924
E-mail: McClellan.A at parl.gc.ca


2) MAKE A DONATION: There are significant costs associated with sanctuary,
such as food and other necessities. There are also legal costs to ensure
effective representation for Amir. Please do consider a
donation. You can make cheques payable to "Amir Kazemian" Cheques can be
sent to: No One is Illegal, c/o Palestine Community Center, 1874 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC Canada, V5N 2S7.

3) STAY IN TOUCH: A support group will continue to pressure the government
and raise awareness, in conjunction with the wishes of Amir. We are
currently organizing food donations for Amir, as well as coordinating
visits to Amir. To stay in touch, e-mail noii-van at resist.ca or call
778-552-2099.

Thank you for action on this very important case.

In solidarity and struggle,
Friends and supporters of Amir Kazemian

________________________________________________________________________


Dear Honourable Ministers:

I am writing urgently to bring to your attention the case of Amir Kazemian

I am asking that you cancel all removal orders against Amir and that he be
granted residency in Canada. There are very compelling humanitarian
reasons to grant him status in Canada.

Both Amir and his father, Freedon Kazemian, were politically active in
opposition to the Khomeni regime in Iran.  Freedon Kazemian became the
leader of an opposition party that is struggling to achieve democracy and
Amir was involved with his father politically.  They were tortured for
this and also imprisoned at different times for 1 and 7 years
respectively. Amir fled to Canada in 1997 in the hopes of establishing a
new and safe life.

Amir's mother has been allowed to stay on the basis of the perseuction her
husband and son faced, while Amir has been forced into sanctuary in order
to protect his life.

The lack of a proper appeals procedure on the merits of refugee asylum
claims is a further argument in favour of Amir. The previous
Immigration Minister publicly announced and promised a fair and impartial
appeals procedure, as part of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Still, no basic appeals procedure exists, to the detriment of Amir and all
refugee claimants.

Despite the obstacles in their path, and the suffering they have endured,
Amir and his mother have integrated well into Canadian society. Prior to
taking sanctuary, Amir was been working and supporting his family.

The case of Amir has probably been reported in Iran, which
increases the danger to him if deported against his will. Canada is a
signatory to the Convention Against Torture and the Convention for the
Protection of Refugees, as well as various other human rights instruments.
However, the stated Canadian commitment to human rights is severely
compromised by the refusal to give asylum to Amir.

As Amir remains confined inside a church, I have become acquainted with
his case. I have been moved by his courage to write to you.

Honourable Ministers, you both have it within your power to correct this
situation. Minister McClellan: I respectfully urge you to stop all removal
orders against Amir. Minister Sgro: I urge you to use your
powers to grant residency to Amir.

Thank you for your personal consideration of this very urgent matter.

Sincerely,


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