[news] UPDATE: The Akhtar / Khan Family to be Deported TODAY! - Tuesday July 13th

[Stefan Christoff]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 21:17:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: No One is Illegal Montreal <noii-montreal at resist.ca>


UPDATE: The Akhtar / Khan Family to be Deported TODAY!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Support Gathering for Akhtar / Khan Family
Tuesday July 13th, 7:45 am
Citizenship & Immigration Canada
(metro Bonaventure)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Akhtar / Khan family, including their Canadian-born son (2 year old
Sameer Ali Khan) will be deported from Canada on Tuesday July 13th at 8
am, by Citizenship & Immigration Canada.

The family's deportation comes after the Federal Court refused to stay
their deportation on Monday July 12th.  At the hearing, strong evidence
and arguments were presented regarding the persecution and danger, which
they would face in Pakistan, as well as in the United States.  Although
the family will be sent to the US on Tuesday, it is practically certain
that they will ultimately be deported to Pakistan by the US government.

They will be making comments to the media and saying goodbye to loved-ones
in front of the Citizenship & Immigration Canada offices before presenting
themselves for the deportation.

Anyone who would like to show their support to the family is invited to
gather in front of the CIC offices at 1010 St. Antoine west (metro
Bonaventure) at 7:45 am on Tuesday July 13th.

Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC), has issued the latest deportation
order for the Akhtar / Khan family within the context of a public campaign
against their deportation, led by the family, the Pakistani community and
supported by many individuals, groups & organizations throughout Canada.

In Struggle,
The Action Committee of Pakistani Refugees
No One is Illegal - Montreal
514 812 0858 - noii-montreal at resist.ca


In This Message:

1) Funding Appeal
2) Background Information

=======================>
URGENT FUNDING APPEAL!
=======================>

Over and above the extensive COST of lawyers' fees, we are trying to raise
funds to cover the cost of materials, transportation and money for the
family to survive in the US in the case they are deported. Your financial
solidarity for the political fight against the Akhtar familyÍs deportation
is extremely important.

If you are able to donate money to help cover these costs, please make
checks out to No One is Illegal Montreal with Shamim in the memo field.

Mail Checks to:

No One is Illegal Montreal
C/o QPIRG Concordia
1420 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 404
Montreal, Quebec
H3G 1K5

=======================>
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
=======================>

Shamim Akhtar, her husband Naeem Khan, her daughter Sadaf Ali Khan (17
years old), daughter Sadia Ali Khan (15 years old), son Shan Ali Khan (13
years old) and son Sameer Ali Khan (2 years old) will be deported from
Montreal, Canada on July 13th, 2004.

The family was refused as refugee claimants in Montreal in August 2002
despite the grave risk they face if deported to Pakistan, where they will
ultimately be sent from 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 during the month of May alone: at least
two suicide bombings, numerous assaults, targeted killings and shoot-outs,
with Karachi being held under curfew. 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 received gold medals on
his track and field team. The children are fluent in English and French
and their parents are hard working.

JUSTICE FOR ALL IMMIGRANTS & REFUGEES

---------------------


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