A version of this published in the Voice, December 15 2007

The recent case of paralyzed Laibar Singh has created much debate and division. There is a strong outpouring of sympathy for Laibar Singh and his medical condition, however the fundamental question turns on whether Canadian society has any ‘obligation’ to support Mr. Singh as he has exhausted all his legal avenues. In addition, much of the public perception around Mr. Singh has unfortunately been fuelled by inaccurate facts.

Firstly, Mr. Singh was never handed down a deportation order prior to the one he received in July 2007. He has, therefore, never been “illegal” in Canada before taking sanctuary at the Abbotsford Gurudwara. Prior to his aneurysm, Mr. Singh worked as a labourer in Montreal.

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Laibar Singh, a 48-year old Punjabi refugee living in Vancouver, was due to be deported on December 10, ironically Human Rights Day. However, upwards to 1500 of Singh’s supporters rallied at the airport prior to his deportation, and peacefully blocked the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) officials from getting to the taxi where Singh was waiting. The flight that was due to deport Singh took off at 2:30pm, and he wasn’t on it. His deportation has now been temporarily postponed, and Mr. Singh is back with his community and friends.

* Click here to listen to an interview with Naava Smolash, member of No One is Illegal Vancouver

* Click here and here to watch video coverage of the rally at the Vancouver International Airport

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Refugee issue riddled with misinformation by Harsha Walia, Special to the Vancouver Sun. Published: Thursday, July 12, 2007

For several days now people have been inundated with inaccuracies concerning Laibar Singh’s case, which have resulted in the unfortunate perception of Singh as a “law-breaker.” First, Singh was only handed a deportation order for July 8 of this year and took sanctuary on July 7. He has, therefore, never been “illegal” in Canada before taking sanctuary. Everyone in sanctuary has overstayed a deportation order, not just Singh. Second, Singh arrived on a fake document, which he declared to Canadian immigration authorities. This is not illegal as international and Canadian refugee law recognizes the reality that many asylum seekers will be forced to travel on fake documents.

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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!

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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 despite the outpouring of community support for Laibar Singh. Supporters plan to continue their campaign to allow Mr. Singh to remain in Canada where he has received unprecedented support from the local community. Rallies, protests, and public events are planned throughout this coming week. His supporters are also pressuring the federal government and House of Commons for a response to the official 25,000 petitions that were signed.