[van-announce] Urgent Actions to Support Laibar Singh

[Harsha]

- pls forward -

CAMPAIGN CONTINUES IN SUPPORT FOR LAIBAR SINGH, LAIBAR RECEIVES
DEPORTATION ORDER FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

*** Fri Dec 7 @ 4:00-4:30 pm: Action at Vancouver Citizenship and
Immigration Canada Offices (300 West Georgia).

*** Sat Dec 8 @ 2 pm: Rally at Surrey Immigration Offices. 13450 102nd
Avenue Surrey (between 134th and 135th Street). 1 block from Surrey
Central Skytrain Station

*** Mon Dec 10: details tbc but pending any response from the government
to reverse this unjust deportation, there will be a convergence at the
Vancouver International Airport. Transport arranged, so please mark the
date if you are able to!


On one of the coldest days thus far in the Lower Mainland, approximately
200-300 people- including elders and children- braved the weather to rally
in support of Mr. Laibar Singh in front of the Immigration offices in
Surrey on Sunday December 2. All those in attendance expressed their
outrage and anger at the Conservative government for pushing forward with
this inhumane decision to deport a paralyzed man despite the outpouring of
community support.

Laibar Singh came to Canada in 2003 and his refugee claim of persecution
at the hands of state police has been rejected based mostly on minor
inconsistencies. While in Canada, Mr. Singh worked as a labourer, doing
one of the many low-wage jobs that rely on immigrant and refugee labour.
Unfortunately, Mr. Singh’s life suddenly and irreversibly changed when he
suffered a cerebral aneurysm in June of 2006 and is now paralyzed. With a
pending deportation for July 2007, Laibar Singh took sanctuary in the
Abbotsford Sahib Kalgidhar Darbar Gurudwara. While in sanctuary, Mr.
Singh’s health deteriorated and he had to be hospitalized. On Monday
August 13, while in the hospital, Abbottsford police and Canadian Border
Services Agency officers detained Mr. Laibar Singh. Due to immense
community and political pressure, Mr. Singh was granted a 60-day
stay first on August 20th and then another stay on October 20th 2007.

At the end of November, Laibar was informed that his humanitarian and
compassionate claim was refused because he did not have 'significant ties
to Canada' despite the fact that over 40,000 community members- who are
now his family and support network in Canada- signed petitions in support
of him! He now faces deportation on December 10th- ironically
International Human Rights Day.

The struggle of Laibar Singh points to the systemic flaws and barriers of
a fundamentally unjust system, from which victories can only be won by
public struggle. The struggle against deportation and to support Laibar is
not for him alone nor is it simply one case, rather it symbolizes the
struggles and aspirations of his community and is part of a campaign for
all immigrant and refugees who daily struggle to live with dignity. His
situation reveals how hard and long racialized migrants must fight to
assert their right to self-determination which the Canadian government
consistently denies and instead perpetuates pain, anxiety, and violence
through detentions and deportations.

STOP THE DEPORTATIONS NOW! NO ONE IS ILLEGAL!

For more information visit www.nooneisillegal.org
Email noii-van at resist.ca or call 778 885 0040


==> PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY TO PRESSURE IMMIGRATION MINISTER FINLAY!

* We realize that most of you are probably flooded by letter-writing
campaigns or find letter-writing futile. However, it is clear that the
government has been forced to respond to an unparalled amount of support
and pressure and it is time that they get the message and grant Mr. Laibar
Singh a permanent stay on his deportation order.

IMMIGRATION MINISTER DIANE FINLAY
* CALL (PREFERABLE): (613) 996-4974
* FAX: (613) 996-9749
* EMAIL: minister at cic.gc.ca and Finley.D at parl.gc.ca

MINISTER STOCKWELL DAY (RESPONSIBLE FOR CBSA)
* CALL: 613.995.1702 or 250.770.4480
* FAX: 613.995.1154 or 250.770.4484
* EMAIL: day.s at parl.gc.ca or days1 at parl.gc.ca


======> SAMPLE LETTER <========

Minister Finley and Minister Day,

Regarding: Laibar Singh

I am writing regarding the situation of Mr. Laiber Singh. I am sure that
you are aware of the case of the paralyzed Punjabi refugee claimant Mr.
Laiber Singh, who is currently facing deportation on Monday December 10th,
International Human Rights Day.

A wide variety of human rights organizations, disability advocates and
community groups have also expressed their support for Mr. Singh’s bid to
remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. These groups
include the Canadian Labour Congress, BC Coalition of People with
Disabilities, B.C Hospital Employees Union, the Multifaith Action
Committee, and a long list of South Asian community groups and gurudwaras.

Over the past few months, approximately forty thousand people have signed
an Official petition to Parlimament in support of Mr. Singh remaining in
Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

On October 9, 2007, a group of health care professionals- including 13
independent doctors- issued a letter to Immigration Minster Diane Finley
stating, "As health professionals, we are outraged at the fact that the
Canadian government would consider deporting a paraplegic man, whose
health condition is extremely fragile... For the sake of his safety,
health and well being, we fully support him and demand that [the Minister]
grant him permanent residency status on the basis of humanitarian and
compassionate grounds immediately."

It is outrageous that the Canadian government would deport a man who is
already struggling to life a live of dignity and autonomy, and whose
physical health is so fragile. For the sake of his own safety, for the
well-being of his physical health, and based on the life that Mr.Singh has
already established, I fully support him and demand that you stop the
deportation of Mr. Laibar Singh immediately and grant him permanent
residency status.

Sincerely,