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!

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!

==> 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,