[news] MONTREAL: {The Gazette} Osama Saleh: Deportation order blocked

[Stefan Christoff]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:40:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: No One is Illegal Montreal <noii-montreal at resist.ca>


{Note : Below is an article written in the Montreal Gazette, concerning
the recent Federal Court decision to halt Osama Saleh's deportation.
Osama's victory represents the broader struggle of over 40 Palestinian
refugees who have been refused refugee status in Canada and remain
threatened with deportation from Canada. These refugees who have
self-organized, as the Coalition Against the Deportation of Palestinian
Refugees, continue to organize against their deportations, the majority of
which are scheduled to be executed in the coming weeks and months. With
your support and dedication, we will halt these profoundly unjust
deportations. If you would like to support or get involved with the
Coalition Against the Deportation of Palestinian Refugees please contact:
refugees at riseup.net - 514 591 3171}

DEPORTATION ORDER BLOCKED

Court to re-examine palestinian's case.
"It's a small ray of light in the very
dark halls of Immigration Canada," activist says

TRISTAN BAURICK
Friday, April 30, 2004

{http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=1fd404
d1-e7e8-4618-a0c2-10931eef9168}

Osama Saleh had his toothbrush and Canadiens cap packed and ready for his
scheduled deportation today. But a Federal Court judge yesterday halted
the Palestinian's removal from Canada.

"I cried when I heard," Saleh said. "I am so happy the court is giving me
another chance."

Saleh's refugee claim was denied in early April. The court will re-examine
his case and issue a final decision in one to three months.

Stefan Christoff, a member of the Coalition Against the Deportation of
Palestinian Refugees, said Saleh's victory is the first his group has seen
in Montreal this year. He estimates 40 other Palestinians face
deportation.

"It's a small ray of light in the very dark halls of Immigration Canada,"
Christoff said.

Saleh would have been deported to the United States, his entry point to
Canada after fleeing Israel more than three years ago. He probably would
have been detained in the U.S. before being returned to Israel.

Saleh's lawyer, Stewart Istvanffy, argued Saleh faced discrimination and a
lack of due process if detained in the U.S. He also stressed the
likelihood that Saleh would suffer persecution and violence if eventually
returned to Israel's West Bank.

Other immigrants facing deportation are heartened by Saleh's victory.
"Many people are uplifted by this," said Sarita Ahooja, a member of the
Action Committee for Non-Status Algerians.

"We're very hopeful, not just for Palestinians but for everyone facing
deportation."

Immigrant-rights groups have increasingly worked together to fight
deportations. A march in downtown Montreal on Saturday highlighted Saleh's
case and called for an end to deportations for hundreds of Pakistanis,
Colombians, Kurds, Algerians and others.

"This victory attests to the power of collective action and to keeping up
public pressure," Ahooja said.

Saleh said he has only one regret. "I wished very much to stay here, but
now I have to watch as the Canadiens are losing," he said with a laugh.

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