Canada's fierce struggle against war crimes

by **havanagilla** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:43 am

fierce as in irony.. Alice, this is mostly for you. Look who is on the "pride list" of CIC, as the horrendous criminals against humanity that Canada deported in the last decade. See any white people there? most of the cases are against Moslems (Egypt starring heavily), too. And of course, the favored criminals are africans. Wow, Csis must be doing a great job...picking on the real big sharks. --- most of the people mentioned on the list (proudly, for some unknown reason) are clearly collaborators with tyrranical regimes. this didn't prevent canada from admitting nazis who "had to collaborate" and surely a lot of other slime, and I am sure any Israeli war criminal is welcome to immigrate to canada and they don't need to be scrutinized by IRB or anybody. Look how many white south africans, and africaners massively immigrated to Canada after the fall of appartheid. Namely, money and the right color will buy you a good standing of a pacifist. But being black, moslem arab..that's a different story. Of course arabs who have to collaborate in order to avoid a certain DEATH, are horrible war criminals who should be shamed, sent away, and annihilated. --- <a href="http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pub/war2002/section16.html">www.cic.gc.ca/english/pub...ion16.html</a> Fifth Annual Report Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program 2001-2002 APPENDIX J: MODERN CASES -- SELECTED CASE SUMMARIES The following sample case summaries have been selected to provide the reader with specifics concerning the types of modern war criminals dealt with in Canada and abroad as well as the legal processes that must be followed to remove such individuals from Canada. Citizen of Somalia This individual applied for permanent residence at the Canadian Embassy in Nairobi on November 14, 2000. He was sponsored as a refugee by a church in the Toronto area and has a son and three daughters living in Canada. Information provided by the applicant at interview indicated that he held senior positions within Somalia society during the regime of Said Barre. These included the position of Vice Rector of the Somalia National University and the position of general director of a factory. While managing the factory he stated that he met with President Barre once a week. The case was referred to NHQ for further investigation and analysis. Documentary information from The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) confirmed that the National University of Somalia is a university administered by the Ministry of Higher Education and Culture. The Chancellor of the University is also the head of state. The Rector is the chief executive officer assisted by two vice rectors. This placed the applicant third in the chain of command in a government institution. Most factories in Somalia during Barre's regime were state run. It should be noted that President Barre did not have time to meet with his own members of government on such a regular basis. The applicant and the work done by the factory were of significance to the government. As the government of Said Barre from 1969 to 1991 is designated as a regime that engaged in systematic human rights abuses, the applicant was refused under paragraph 19(1)(l) of the Immigration Act. Citizen of Rwanda In 2001 the subject was invited by the Rwandan Congress of Canada to give an address on the issue of the aftermath of the genocide. He subsequently applied for a visitor visa through the Canadian Embassy in Paris. The applicant was a former political leader in Rwanda from July 1994 to August 1995. A 1994 United Nations Report lists the Rwandan government as one of the perpetrators of human rights violations in Rwanda and the interim (MDR) government responsible for having refused to take effective steps to prevent the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law including genocide. The applicant was determined to be inadmissible to Canada under paragraphs 19(1)(j) and (l) of the Immigration Act and his application for a visitor visa was refused. Citizen of Afghanistan This individual was one of five deputy Prime Ministers from 1990-1992 of the communist government of President Najabullah of Afghanistan. On October 21, 1994 this government was designated by the Minister as one that had engaged in gross human rights violations. This individual sought entry into Canada as a visitor on Dec. 22, 2001 at Niagara Falls. He was reported under 19((1)(l) of the Act and directed back to the United States pending inquiry. On March 11, 2002, his inquiry opened and he was found described by the adjudicator. A deportation order was issued and he was returned to the USA. Citizen of Chad This 29 year old citizen of Chad entered Canada from the USA at Philipsburg on November 15, 2000 claiming refugee status on arrival. He was a member of the Chad Air Force and had reached the rank of Chief of Operations. He indicated that he had left Chad because of disagreements with the air force regarding its human rights violations against the civilian population. On December 28, 2000 the Minister filed an intervention with the CRDD notifying her intention to seek a 1F(a) exclusion order. In the face of these allegations, the subject subsequently withdrew his claim to refugee status. As the subject had entered Canada from the USA, he was returned to the USA in accordance with the reciprocal agreement on the return of deportees between the USA and Canada. Mohamed Abdalla YASSER Citizen of Egypt On January 13, 1997 Mr. Yasser arrived at the port of Montreal as a stowaway and claimed refugee status. In outlining his claim he explained that he had been a member of Gamaa Islamaya, a principal terrorist organization in Egypt. On July 10, 1998 the Minister filed an intervention with the CRDD signifying her intention to argue that Mr. Yasser should be excluded from refugee determination. Evidence was introduced at the hearing that Mr. Yasser had an excellent understanding of the activities of Gamaa Islamaya. The goal of this organization was to attack the government at all levels and the methods used were assassinations, bomb attacks, and summary executions. On February 10, 1999 the CRDD ordered that Mr. Yasser was excluded from refugee protection under article 1F(a). Mr. Yasser then applied to the Federal Court for judicial review of the CRDD decision. On March 2, 1999 following their marriage, Mr. Yasser's spouse submitted a sponsorship application. On July 22, 1999 the Federal Court rejected the application for judicial review. On December 15, 2000 his sponsored application for permanent residence was refused. Mr. Yasser was detained and on April 11, 2001 he was removed from Canada. Citizen of Argentina This individual arrived in Canada at Fort Erie in September 2000 and made a claim to refugee status. A Notice of Intent to intervene was filed February 2001 based on his career in the Argentine Navy from 1963 to 1995, where he obtained the rank of Frigate Captain. The Minister's position was that the subject was an integral part of the Argentine Navy. The torture and disappearance of thousands of people during what is known as the "dirty war" took place largely in secret detention centres. One of these was the Navy Mechanics School (ESMA) where he served in 1976 and 1983-84. The ESMA was not just a secret detention centre where torture was used but also the operations hub of a complex organization where a wide range of secret criminal operations were planned and organized. He claimed to be totally unaware of any human rights abuses committed by the Argentine security forces. It was noted that more than 5000 prisoners were held at ESMA and that officers slept on the first two floors sandwiched between the basement where torture was carried out and the third floor and attic where prisoners awaited their fate. The Minister submitted that it was not credible that a senior navy commander throughout the "dirty war" years, would have been totally unaware of the existence of human rights violations by the armed forces. The CRDD concluded there were reasonable grounds to believe he was a knowing participant at ESMA, that he knew about the torture and extermination of prisoners, and that he failed to disassociate himself from these atrocities. He was excluded under article 1F(a) on November 5, 2001. He failed to appear for his removal from Canada and a warrant for his arrest was issued on January 15, 2002. Citizen of Republic of the Congo This individual arrived at Lacolle, Quebec on June 28, 1997 and claimed refugee status. His claim was based on his advocacy for student rights in his country. At his refugee hearing he admitted that he was an intelligence officer (informer) for Bernard Kolelas, mayor of Brazzaville and main opposition leader to President Lissouba. The information he obtained could result in the disappearances of individuals and violence between the agents of Mr. Kolelas and Mr. Lissouba. Extensive evidence was introduced over four sittings from March 17, 1998 to November 1, 1999. In rendering its decision on August 9, 2000, the CRDD excluded the subject from refugee determination under articles 1F(a), (b), and (c) of the Convention. On the basis of evidence presented by the Minister, the tribunal had concluded that he was a voluntary member of a brutal organization known as the Ninjas. He was complicit in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and of serious crimes committed by a paramilitary corps. Following some difficulties in locating the individual he was removed to the USA on June 14, 2001. Mohamad Abbas EL SIBLANI Citizen of Lebanon Mr. El Siblani arrived in Canada from the USA on July 26, 2000 and claimed refugee status on arrival at Vancouver International Airport. On February 22, 2001 a Minister's intervention was filed with the CRDD and evidence brought forth that Mr. El Siblani was involved in crimes against humanity. Mr. El Siblani joined the Amal movement in Lebanon in 1986. Although generally more moderate than their Hezbollah rivals, Amal members participated in crimes against humanity, including the torture and murder of hostages during the civil war in Lebanon. It is reported that in a siege of a Palestinian refugee camp during the winter months of 1987, the Amal refused to allow food or medical aid into the camps. A number of women and children were shot in the legs when they attempted to leave the camps to escape or bring in food. As a member of an eight man unit he received a year of military training in 1988. From 1990 until 1994 he supervised security guards at the Amal headquarters in Beruit. On September 6, 2001 the CRDD held that his involvement in the Amal movement made him complicit in crimes against humanity and he was excluded pursuant to article 1 F(a). Mr. El Siblani applied to the Federal Court but was denied leave. He was removed under escort to Lebanon on February 6, 2002. Citizen of Colombia In 1996 this person was admitted to Canada as a visitor at Lacolle. He overstayed his visitor status and was reported under the Act on January 20, 1997. He subsequently claimed refugee status and three sittings of his refugee hearing were held from July 19, 1999 to March 1, 2000. The CRDD reached the conclusion that his claim must be excluded under article 1F(a) of the Convention because of his career as a fighter jet pilot in the Colombian army and admission of acts against civilian populations carried out by him and his comrades. He joined the armed forces voluntarily and did not leave when he had the opportunity to do so. When questioned about the length of time (seven years) he served in the armed forces he stated "I'd rather kill people from planes" and " I feel safe in plane with bombs if I have a plane with 500 bombs". On August 16, 2000 the subject was removed to the USA. On March 3, 2001, immigration officials were advised by the Montreal Police that he was in Montreal apparently having entered the country surreptitiously. He was arrested under the Immigration Act and reported as a previous deport who did not have the consent of the Minister to return to Canada. He did not make another refugee claim and was removed to Colombia on October 18, 2001. Zoran Vujovic Citizen of Yugoslavia Mr. Vujovic was admitted as a visitor with a fraudulent British passport at Vancouver International Airport in March 1997. The following month he made a claim to refugee status stating that he was a trained employee of the Yugoslav State Security administration and a member of the secret police. On June 28, 1998, a Minister's Intervention was filed and evidence introduced that he was complicit in crimes against humanity for his delivery of weapons to Serbian combatants in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania. These actions assisted the Serbian military and paramilitary groups in the commission of crimes against humanity including the execution of Croatian prisoners. The CRDD noted that prior to making arms deliveries to Bosnia and Albania the subject knew of the atrocities committed against Croatian civilians in Vukovar. Mr. Vujovic left Yugoslavia immediately prior to an inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by his associates. On April 4, 2000, the CRDD excluded him from refugee determination. He applied to the Federal Court for judicial review and was refused leave. He was removed to the Former Yugoslavia under escort on February 20, 2002. Samuel Ramirez-Perez Citizen of Guatemala Samuel Ramirez-Perez arrived in Canada in November 1989 at Fort Erie, Ontario and claimed refugee status. According to Mr. Ramirez-Perez's own testimony at the CRDD he attended the police school in Guatemala City and graduated in December 1978. He received the following training: military, criminal investigation, use of arms and shooting, taking fingerprints, everything that would have referred to police matters. The national police school was part of army intelligence. Mr. Ramirez-Perez was later transferred to a unit known as Commando Six (Comando Seis or 6th Commando). Information was provided from Amnesty International's February 1981 document on Guatemala concerning Commando Six. A diagram of the Structure of Government Killings in Guatemala clearly shows Commando Six as part of the National Police structure. The diagram shows the National Police were responsible for the killings of prisoners and criminals and Commando Six involved in the disappearance of demonstrators. It states "Two special units of the National Police, the Comando Seis (6th Commando) and the Peloton Modelo (Model Platoon), have been particularly active during political demonstrations and were identified as having detained demonstrators who subsequently disappeared." Mr. Ramirez-Perez was ordered excluded from refugee determination on November 10, 1992. His application to the Federal Court for judicial review was subsequently refused. An application for permanent residence sponsored by his Canadian spouse was submitted and refused on three separate occasions. The subject then thwarted attempts to effect his removal from Canada by refusing to cooperate in obtaining a travel document from the Embassy of Guatemala, by submitting another application for permanent residence, appealing the refusal of that decision, and then failing to appear for his scheduled removal from Canada. Mr. Ramirez-Perez was removed from Canada, under escort, on June 17, 2000. He returned to Canada on an unknown date and came to CIC's attention through a police traffic stop. He was arrested and detained on January 20, 2002 after attempting to assault the officers and uttering a death threat to one of them. He remained in detention until his removal, again under escort, on February 21, 2002. Citizen of Guatemala This 39 year old citizen of Guatemala arrived at Lacolle with his spouse on December 24, 1999 and claimed refugee status. On the basis of information contained in his claim, on March 4, 2000 the Minister filed an application to intervene in his refugee determination hearing. At the refugee hearing, evidence was presented that the subject had worked as a political analyst for the Presidential General Staff from 1988 to 1998. The Presidential General Staff obtained information about all kinds of individuals and civic organizations, evaluated their behaviour in their respective fields of activity, prepared lists of those actions that were to be repressed for their supposedly subversive character, and proceeded accordingly to capture, interrogate, torture, forcibly disappear or execute these individuals. It was noted that the subject had the opportunity to leave his position in 1995 but declined to do so. On January 10, 2001 the CRDD concluded that the subject had directly participated in activities that resulted in war crimes or crimes against humanity and ordered his exclusion under article 1F(a). On May 8, 2001 the subject was returned to the USA. Qasem Ibrahim Qasem HUSSEIN (Palestinian) Qasem Hussein arrived in Canada from Jordan on 28 June 1998 and was admitted as a visitor. He claimed refugee status on May 23, 2000 based on his fear of HAMAS, of which he was a member from 1994 to May 1998. Notice of Intent to intervene in his refugee hearing was filed on February 20, 2001. Mr. Hussein testified that he was resolute in his belief that Palestine must be liberated and returned to the Palestinians. Due to Mr. Hussein's dedication to the cause, he was promoted within HAMAS at the end of 1995 or early 1996. He attended lectures, recruited younger Palestinians to join the group, and attended demonstrations. He was taught how to maintain a weapon and assemble bombs. Mr. Hussein worked with individuals who are named in documents as leaders of HAMAS living in Jordan. In September 1997 he advanced to his fourth group, the HAMAS military wing Izzedin al-Qassam led by Sheikh Izzedine. In 1998 when it became apparent that he was expected to become directly involved in perpetrating suicide bombings or assassinations he ceased his association with HAMAS. The CRDD determined that Mr. Hussein was complicit in crimes against humanity based on the widespread and systematic murder of Israeli citizens and Palestinian collaborators by HAMAS between 1994 and 1998. On August 13, 2001 he was excluded from consideration as a Convention Refugee under article 1F(a). He applied for judicial review, which was denied on January 7, 2002. He was removed to Jordan on March 4, 2002. Citizen of Haiti This individual first entered Canada at Lacolle on May 16, 1989 and made a claim to refugee status five days later. In January 1991, his was excluded from refugee determination due to his 18 year military service in Haiti. He had served in the Leopards which was the army's anti-guerilla unit. The Leopards were created in 1971 to ensure the transition to the Jean Claude Duvalier regime and were charged with, among other duties, the personal safety of Mr. Duvalier. He headed several military operations involving gross human rights violations including the disembarquement on I'Ile à la Torture in 1982 and abuses of Haitian voters in 1987. He was subsequently appointed as Chief of Police in Cap-Haitien, the second largest city in Haiti. He became relatively wealthy and owned several businesses and properties in Haiti. At his hearing he denied ever executing anyone or participating in an execution but admitted to receiving orders to do so on several occasions. This lacked credibility given his senior rank and the fact that he obviously had the confidence of his military superiors. He was ordered removed from Canada but failed to appear for interview to make removal arrangements. A warrant was issued for his removal. Based on information he subsequently provided to officials, he then entered the United States and remained there illegally for a period of time. In October 1996 he returned to Haiti and obtained the birth certificate of his deceased nephew enabling him to obtain a valid passport in the name of his nephew. He returned to the USA and then re-entered Canada at an unknown port of entry with the assistance of a smuggler and a false US passport. (As citizens of Haiti require a visa to enter Canada, the valid Haitian passport would not have secured his entry.) He made a claim to refugee status under his new identity, which was accepted by the CRDD on January 14, 1998. On May 19, 1999 he became a permanent resident of Canada. (It should be noted that in 1993 CIC implemented a policy of fingerprinting all refugee claimants). In February 2002 immigration officials received a tip concerning the whereabouts of this individual. He was located in Ottawa and the outstanding warrant for removal was executed. He was fingerprinted and removed to Haiti under escort on March 9, 2002. Marco Antonio RIOS MORALES Citizen of Guatemala Mr. Rios Morales arrived in Canada in November 1998, at Niagara Falls and claimed refugee status. Given Mr. Rios Morales' extensive military experience with the Guatemalan armed forces, the Minister filed a notice to intervene in the refugee hearing on February 15, 1999. Mr. Rios Morales was a career military officer from 1984 to 1997 reaching the rank of Captain. He was stationed in highly contested areas of Guatemala such as El Quiche, Queltzentango, and Peten. Mr. Rios Morales' duties as 2nd Lieutenant of the Civil Affairs Platoon in Peten was to maintain control of the civilian population and carry out a census of the population. During the period of Mr. Rios Morales' military service some of the most serious human rights violations on record occurred. Evidence was introduced establishing that all branches of the Guatemalan armed forces committed gross human rights violations in a systematic and widespread fashion against the civilian population. The documentary evidence showed that widespread and systematic human rights abuses were committed by the Guatemala military in the places and times Mr. Rio Morales served and that at some level in the Guatemalan military and police, the use of torture was official policy. The CRDD determined that Mr. Rios Morales had personally and knowingly participated in the Guatemalan Army's campaign of widespread crimes against humanity. He was excluded under article 1F(a) on June 29, 2001. Mr. Rio Morales was very vocal in his disagreement with the Department's actions in his case. He sent numerous letters, which had a threatening tone, to the Immigration and Refugee Board and to immigration officials. His application to the Federal Court for judicial review was denied on November 22, 2001 and he was removed to Guatemala on January 31, 2002. Gerardo Florent Sifuentes Salazar Citizen of Peru On October 25, 1992 Mr. Salazar arrived at Gander and claimed refugee status. In his application he stated that he worked for the Peruvian police for 20 years and in this capacity passed information to his superiors concerning members of subversive groups operating in Peru. The Minister intervened in the refugee determination hearing but was unable to persuade the tribunal that Mr. Salazar should be excluded from refugee determination. On May 18, 1994 the CRDD granted Mr. Salazar Convention Refugee status and the Minister subsequently applied to the Federal Court for judicial review. This application was allowed and on March 21, 1995 the Federal Court ordered a new hearing. On February 26, 1996 the CRDD excluded Mr. Salazar under article 1F(a) of the Convention. Mr. Salazar subsequently applied to the Federal Court for judicial review and was successful. On October 28, 2000 following the third hearing in this case the CRDD again ordered Mr. Salazar excluded from refugee determination. On July 4, 2001 Mr. Salazar was removed to Peru. Osama Ahmed Afifi Citizen of Egypt Mr. Afifi was admitted to Canada as a visitor for three weeks at Mirabel International Airport on August 17, 1993. He was subsequently reported for overstaying his visitor status and was taken to inquiry where he claimed refugee status. The Minister filed an intervention on January 13, 1995 seeking to have Mr. Salazar excluded from refugee determination. Mr. Afifi had joined an Islamic organization in Egypt in 1991 which was associated with Jamar Islamaya and acted as a courrier transporting sums of money between Egypt and the organization's contacts in Syria. The organization was responsible for acts of violence in Egypt. Following confirmation that his friends in the group were responsible for the summary execution of a prominent civilian he continued his work with the organization and participated in the brutal activities of this organization. On December 13, 1996 the CRDD ordered him excluded under article 1F(a). Mr. Afifi's application for judicial review was rejected by the Federal Court on June 13, 1997. Mr. Afifi subsequently failed to appear for the scheduled interview to make arrangements for his removal from Canada and a warrant was issued on April 16, 1998. On August 25, 2001 confirmation was received that Mr. Afifi was in the USA having been apprehended by authorities there. Albelkader TOUITA Citizen of Algeria Albelkader Touita arrived at Mirabel International Airport in January 1994 with a fraudulent French passport and was admitted as a visitor. A few days later he reported to the Montreal CIC and claimed refugee status. Evidence was introduced at the hearing that Mr. Touita was an active member of the "Front Islamic du Salut" (FIS) which is known for its human rights abuses against Algerian citizens. As a secret courier he delivered packages and correspondence and facilitated the transport and accommodation of FIS members throughout Algeria. On December 11, 1995 the CRDD found that Mr. Touita had committed or been complicit in committing crimes against humanity and ordered him excluded from refugee determination under article 1F(a). In May of 1996 the Federal Court rejected his application for judicial review. In May of 1997 Mr. Touita entered into his second marriage with a Canadian Citizen and his spouse submitted a sponsorship application requesting that he be permitted to apply for permanent residence from within Canada. This application was refused on July 3, 1998. Mr. Tiuita's spouse appealed this refusal to the Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board and this appeal was rejected on October 23, 1998. On March 11, 1999 a second application for permanent residence was submitted to CPC Vegreville which was referred to the Quebec City CIC for interview and decision. In July 1999 the case was reviewed by the Minister in view of the temporary suspension of removals to Algeria in effect at that time. The Minister concurred with the removal, and authorized officials to approach the Algerian Embassy to obtain a travel document. On September 14, 2000 his second application within Canada for permanent residence was refused. Mr. Touita never worked in Canada and had remained on social assistance since his arrival in 1994. On November 28, 2001 Mr. Touita was removed to Algeria. << contents | previous | Date Published : 2002-10-11 Important Notices

by **AlicetheCurious** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:26 am

"It is reported that in a siege of a Palestinian refugee camp during the winter months of 1987, [the war criminals] refused to allow food or medical aid into the camps. A number of women and children were shot in the legs when they attempted to leave the camps to escape or bring in food." If I were living in Canada, you know what I would do? I would take the criteria and reasons verbatim from this report, find a lawyer, and using those very same words and criteria, take the government to court demanding that the Canadian government either use the exact same standards for visitors and citizenship applicants, or be sued for discrimination by Canadian members of the relevant ethnic group. BTW, using the quote above (which actually refers to the Amal group, which was operating under foreign occupation at the time, no less), no member of an Israeli academic institution, or Israeli citizen who has served in the IDF, or in any Israeli political party that has participated in the government, should be allowed into Canada. But you know and I know, that on the contrary, they get the red carpet treatment. It's our fault -- the laws are there, the courts are there, Canadians have the right to demonstrate and express themselves. Anybody who doesn't use these democratic advantages, but sits home to whine and complain instead, deserves what they get. Or, shall I say, the consequences of inaction may be worse than if they had made their voices heard.

by **havanagilla** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:48 am

Alice, do you really think its apathy or ignorance ? I hope you are not naive, it is a policy and most of the public supports it. Exposing it, though, is always advisable. and BTW this "list" is a product of the human rights - left wing - activists in canada, just imagine what the others have in mind...

by **StarmanSkye** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:33 pm

JaYsUs; I would say, given the below-claimed criteria, all Americans with any military, political and governmental association should have to be disbarred from entering Canada, for the US's many war crimes and systemic human rights violations in Iraq, and esp. its horrific actions in Fallaujah -- and possibly including Tal Afar and Basra also -- but especially the razing of Fallujah and deliberate killings of everyone who remained, and as documented. "The Minister submitted that it was not credible that a senior navy commander throughout the "dirty war" years, would have been totally unaware of the existence of human rights violations by the armed forces. The CRDD concluded there were reasonable grounds to believe he was a knowing participant at ESMA, that he knew about the torture and extermination of prisoners, and that he failed to disassociate himself from these atrocities." But of course, Canada is slyly playing hypocrite in not challenging the US's slide to fascism -- as Canada's role in accomodating the overthrow of Haiti's democracy and subsequent deterioration of its civil society makes it complicit with the crimes of empire. That's how rot spreads. The US was supporting many of those same regimes Canada is now protesting and taking exception to -- but didn't speak-out about at the time. I guess this is a way for the public to atone for its previous complicity of silence. Cute, eh? Starman

by **havanagilla** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:46 pm

atoning by harming more innocent people from the same region one helped devastate in the first place ? that's an interesting concept of atonement. Read this<a href="http://www.lccr.com/about.html" target="top"> precedent</a> for US case - <blockquote>Quote:<hr>LCCR, with co-counsel Heller Ehrman, successfully litigated a precedent-setting lawsuit on behalf of a refugee who was denied the right to seek asylum by U.S. officials. The plaintiff, a Kenyan political refugee, arrived at San Francisco Airport and confided to a U.S. immigration official that her life was in danger in Kenya, but the official ignored her pleas for help. The plaintiff was separated from her two-year old daughter, threatened with jail, and forced to return to Kenya, where she and her daughter went into hiding. LCCR filed suit against the United States, and in January 2005, the federal district court issued a precedent-setting decision recognizing the right of refugees to sue the United States for being turned away at the border and placed in harm's way. The United States agreed to pay $87,500 to the woman and her daughters, who have been granted asylum in the U.S.. The victory was featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, and San Francisco Chronicle.<hr></blockquote>- I am looking at the CIC record as "cruel inhuman and degrading" treatment of those poor refugees, because the decisions are arbitrary and appear racist.

by **AlicetheCurious** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 7:37 am

Hava, I'm not naive, but I do have personal experience. The squeaky wheel does get the grease, at least most times. Unlike many of the posters here, I do not share the awestruck view that the fascists are either in the majority, nor are they particularly brilliant. When you've got right and logic on your side, sometimes all it takes is the guts to point it out and the savvy to use the right avenues to put the bad guys on the defensive. I've done it before, and it does work, often because so many people who would otherwise remain silent, are encouraged to speak up. Remember, silence is implied assent. It's up to us to inform people, and give them a chance to decide whether they want to remain silent or not. In any case, it sure beats sitting on one's hands and whining. As my mother always says, "Help yourself, and then Heaven will help you."

Canada's fierce struggle against war crimes

Canada's fierce struggle against war crimes

Sauce for the goose

Re: Sauce for the goose

Re: Sauce for the goose

Re: Sauce for the goose

It's not naive if it works.

Who is online