[van-announce] STOP THE DEPORTATION OF IRANIAN REFUGEES! Update

[Mike Krebs]

STOP THE DEPORTATION
OF IRANIAN REFUGEES, KOBRA AND HASSAN!
On Friday, January 17th, Kobra Natghi and her 21 year old son, Hassan
Esmat were called into an Immigration Canada office in Vancouver BC for a
routine interview. At this "interview" they were arrested: legs chained
and handcuffed and taken to jail. Kobra and Hassan came to Canada four
years ago as political refugees from Iran where their rights were severely
restricted and their lives were in grave danger. This danger has not
lessened; if they are allowed to be forced back to Iran by immigration
Canada they will almost certainly be imprisoned, tortured and killed. 
Kobra and Hassan were scheduled to be deported on Tuesday January 21st at
4pm. They had both been transferred to the detention centre at the
Vancouver International Airport. Neither one of them had been allowed to
see their lawyer. Kobra had not eaten in the three days since she was
arrested and she has a severe anxiety disorder, Hassan has epilepsy and
they were both being denied medication. When they were loaded onto the
plane in handcuffs, Hassan suffered an epileptic seizure and the police
put him in a headlock, strangling him and further aggravating the seizure.
His mother, Kobra, panicked and started screaming in Farsi for them to let
him go. The pilot decided that Kobra and Hassan’s agitated presence put
the other passengers in danger so he had them removed from the plane. 
There was a demonstration at the airport against the deportation of Kobra
and Hassan. The demonstrators were preparing to distribute literature
about the deportation at the international departure gate when two airport
officials led Kobra through the middle of the airport lobby. She was
surrounded by the demonstrators who chanted, "Stop the Deportation!" In
the confusion, Kobra escaped, ran from the airport and disappeared.
She remained at large while the police searched for her throughout the
city. Kobra contacted her lawyer in the evening and he convinced her to
turn herself in to the police. She now has contact with her lawyer who is
appealing her deportation. Her son, Hassan was moved back from the airport
to Vancouver detention. Both of them appeared at an immigration hearing on
Wednesday, January 22nd but no decision was made.
Another hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 23rd at 2:30pm at the
detention centre at 300 W. Georgia in Library Square, Downtown Vancouver.
Immigration Canada is continuing with their intimidation tactics; they
informed Kobra and Hassan’s family that they should bring "all of their
belongings" to the airport on Thursday, insinuating that the two will be
deported at that time.
Kobra and Hassan’s deportation has been delayed, but it has not yet been
stopped. Because of Kobra’s escape from the clutches of immigration on
Tuesday, they have been awarded another hearing and there is a chance for
legal appeal but we must publicly demand, "Stop the Deportation!" 
Telephone Rob Johnson at Immigration Canada at 604-666-5946, and/or email
the Minister of Immigration, Denis Coderre at minister at cic.gc.ca  to
demand they stop the deportation. Fire This Time will post further updates
on the situation and any future actions. 

Fire This Time Movement for Social Justice
info at fire-this-time.org
http://www.fire-this-time.org
(604)322-1764
PO Box 21607
Vancouver BC
V5N 5T5
 



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