[antiwar-van] (mtl) Stop the deportation of Shamim Akhtar andher family to Pakistan: Urgent Call/Fax/E-mail Campaign]

[harsha at resist.ca]

TAKE A STAND AGAINST DEPORTATIONS!!!!

STOP THE DEPORTATION OF SHAMIM AKHTAR AND HER FAMILY TO PAKISTAN !!!

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
<><>   LAST MINUTE STAND       <><>
<><>     FRIDAY JUNE 25        <><>
<><>      @ 9:30 AM            <><>
<><>      CIC OFFICES          <><>
<><>      1010 ST ANTOINE      <><>
<><><><><><><><><><><><<><><><><><>


The Akhtar family is one of the most active families within the Action
Committee of Pakistani Refugees and Shamim is one of the spokesperson of
the Womens Committee. Their situation carries huge implications for the
Action Committee that has been fighting deportations from Montreal for
over one year. Show your support on Friday and send a letter or make a
quick call to local CIC bureaucrats who have the discretion to intervene.

For more information, please contact the Action Committee of Pakistani
Refugees or No one is illegal montreal at noii-montreal at resist.ca,
244-2461 or 812-0858

URGENT CALL/ FAX/ EMAIL CAMPAIGN


==> LOCALLY it is crucial we pressure those officials who have the
discretion to stop the deportation. Please be polite but firm in your
demands to BOTH Directors at CIC Montreal:

Rene D'Aoust (Director of Removals):
phone (514) 496-1238
Fax: 514.496.1882
Courriel: rené.d'aoust at cic.gc.ca

Anne-Marie Signore
phone number 514-283-0226
fax 514-496-1882


==> CC MESSAGES TO THE MINISTERS BELOW:

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

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


DEMAND A STAY OF DEPORTATION ON HUMANITARIAN AND COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS !!!


==> POINTS TO STRESS

- The danger the family faces in Pakistan given the rise in sectarian
violence in the past month in particular
- That IRB themselves have reports that affirm that the banning of the SSP
as a terrorist organization has not led to a decrease in sectarian
violence
- The children's incredible participation and achievements in school and
the community
- Sameer is Canadian born and it is the governments duty to ensure that he
remains with his family in a a safe environment


BACKGROUNDER

Shamim Akhtar, her husband Naeem Khan, her daughter Sadaf Ali Khan (16
years old), daughter Sadia Ali Khan  (14 years old), son Shan Ali Khan (12
years old) and son Sameer Ali Khan (2 years old) are facing deportation
from Montreal, Canada on June 29, 2004.

The family was refused as refugee claimants in Montreal in August 2002
despite the grave risk they face if deported to Pakistan, either directly
or indirectly through the United States. In Karachi, Pakistan the family
were the direct targets of the militant and sectarian organization
Sipeh-e-Sahaba (SSP). Naeem was beaten and brutalized several times,
including once with bicycle chains, while Shamim and her daughters were
held at gun point in thier homes.

The family came to Canada in the hopes of finding a more humane refugee
determination system affording them the protection they sought and
deserved. Their refugee hearing took place in August 2002. They were
subsequently denied on patently unfair grounds.

The judge ruled that there was no significant threat to their life,
especially considering that President Musharraf had outlawed the SSP and
that order had been restored. This is clearly contrary to the IRB's  own
reports (including US State Department reports that the judge misquoted)
and given the reality in Pakistan this past month alone: at least two
suicide bombings, numerous assualts, targeted killings and  shoot-outs,
with Karachi being held under curfew last week. The rise in violence is
pervasive throughout Karachi, Lahore, Queta and other Pakistani areas.

An Amnesty report confirms that “President Musharraf banned five more
organizations including the SSP, but most of these announcements were only
inadequately implemented; the ban on sectarian organizations was not fully
enforced. In the last three years have seen an upsurge of systematic
targeted killings of people particularly in Karachi.” This can certainly
be supported in light of recent serious violence in Karachi and Lahore
over the past month.

While in Canada, the family has been extremely involved in trying to raise
awareness about refugees and about hundreds of others facing similar
desperate situations. Their youngest son Sameer is Canadian born and it is
the duty of the Canadian government to provide a stable and safe home for
him in Montreal. Sadaf, their eldest daughter, is an extraordinary athlete
and student, having won several gold medals at her school. Sadia was the
best Science student in her class, while Shan has recieved gold medals on
his track and field team. The children are fluent in English and French
and their parents are hard working.

DEMAND A STAY OF DEPORTATION ON HUMANITARIAN AND COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS !!!