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

[Chris Shelley]

The below report failed to include the fact that 3 demonstrators were
arrested at the airport and two remain incarcerated. We have also heard that
Kobra and Hassan have now been deported, if this is true then it is a very
sad thing indeed, an outrage and a defeat. Shame on Canada for risking these
peoples lives, No Borders, No where, No WAY!

Chris

on 22/1/03 7:29 pm, Mike Krebs at count3030 at yahoo.ca wrote:

> 
> 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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