7 January 2007

Members of Iranian Federation of Refugees, friends and families of refugees facing deportation, and supporters from No One is Illegal have been maintaining a hunger strike outside CIC offices (300 West Georgia) since noon on Friday. Overnight, approximately 20 refugees, family members (including elderly parents), and supporters will be remaining outside CIC offices in sub-zero temparatures with minimal tents and blankets.

Ali Reza Mozemi was called into CIC offices today at 9 am, only to receive a deportation order for Tuesday Jan 11. When Ali attempted to request for more time from his enforcement officer, he was swiftly handcuffed and detained by officials, without even a goodbye from his family, who are all Canadian citizens and who may never see him before his deportation to Iran.

The hunger strike follows a campaign against increasing numbers of deportations to Iran that has a well-documented record of human rights violations, particularly against political dissidents. Immigration Canada in the past has claimed that they have no evidence of any danger upon anyone who was deported from Canada, but the recent highly-publicized case of Haleh Sahba (deported from Vancouver exactly one month ago on Dec 7) has proven otherwise.

It is time to take a stand against Immigration Canada’s racist treatment of immigrants and refugees and to show tangible support for those resisting.

Ways to Support:

==> Come support the hunger strike during the weekend

==> Blankets, tents, financial donations, coffee, photocopying resources, calling cards, material to read (esp. newspapers.)

==> Ali’s detention review is on Monday. A rally to support his family will be held @ noon on Monday Jan 10 at 300 West Georgia CIC offices. Call 778-552-2099 or 778-885-0040 for more information

In struggle,
No One is Illegal Vancouver