Sanctuary status sought for temples

No double standard, say Sikh supporters of failed refugee claimant

David Carrigg, The Province

Published: Monday, January 28, 2008

Supporters of failed refugee claimant Laibar Singh are mounting a campaign to ensure Sikh temples continue to offer the same sanctuary a church provides.

"Violating the sanctuary of a gurudwara [temple] while the sanctuary of churches has largely been respected will set a dangerous double standard," Cynthia Wright, of York University's school of women's studies in Toronto, said in a statement.

Singh, who has twice avoided deportation as a result of protests by his supporters, is living in Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh temple in the belief the government will not enter and remove him.

Singh entered Canada on a false Indian passport, then failed in a bid for refugee status. He is paralyzed due a medical condition that occurred while in Canada.

His supporters claim he will die if he is returned to India for lack of medical care.

They staged a rally at the Surrey temple yesterday to pressure the government into not deporting Singh. The rally was backed by protests in 13 other cities across Canada.

Rev. Margaret Marquardt, chairwoman of the justice and peace unit of the Anglican Church, said that granting sanctuary is a "sacred responsibility" and that the government has "no business in the sanctuaries of this nation."

Denise Nadeau, of Simon Fraser University's interfaith summer institute, said: "It is unconscionable that the government continues to insist on the deportation of a paralyzed man from sanctuary, simply to look strong."

A May 2007 report by the House of Commons standing committee on citizenship and immigration recommended that law officials respect the right of churches and other religious organizations to provide sanctuary to those they believe need protection.

Canada Border and Services Agency has not set a deadline for a third attempt at deporting Singh.

Ron Moran, president of the Customs and Excise Union which represents border guards, has said B.C. border guards have been told by managers that Singh will be deported at some point.

Moran said the morale of guards has been affected because of the failed efforts to deport him.

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said last week that deportation orders stand, whether or not their subjects are in sanctuary.

"They are in defiance of the law if they are not subjecting themselves to that removal order. That is the state of the situation," Day said.

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=0be7fe3c-3fe1-4e62-bf55-8d33592a6882

Sanctuary is last chance for many

Churches, temples home to several adults, at least one family

KEN MEANEY, Canwest News Service

It may be cold comfort, but Abdelkader Belaouni, an Algerian refugee claimant who has been living in sanctuary in a Montreal church for over two years, is not alone.

Church basements and temples from St. John's, N.L., to Surrey, B.C. are home to six other adults and at least one family who have taken the desperate measure of seeking refuge to avoid a deportation order.

In Angela Portnoy's case, her five children have practically grown up in a church in Marystown, N.L. They've been living in the basement of Sacred Heart since October 2005, when they were ordered deported.

The tradition of places of worship as sanctuary goes back to ancient times, says Norma McCord, a United Church member in Ottawa who works with a network that assists refugee claimants.

But it can be a perilous refuge.

Four years ago, Quebec City police dragged Mohamed Cherfi, a failed refugee claimant, from a local church - the only time Canadian police have ever disregarded a church sanctuary.

In Surrey, B.C., this month, authorities had to back down after trying to remove Laibar Singh from the Sikh temple where the paralyzed refugee claimant has lived since Dec. 15.

A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency, Chris Williams, says the law does not recognize sanctuary.

"The fact a person is hiding in a place of worship to avoid removal doesn't affect his case," he said. The agency is aware of eight cases of people in sanctuary across the country.

Those who leave sanctuary lose even that slim protection. Several people have been arrested while outside - including Alexi Portnoy, Angela's husband, who was later deported.

A warrant also was issued for Angela last October, when her application to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds was turned down.

There also is no protection for those providing the haven.

In its handbook for clergy on sanctuary, the United Church notes: "Those who offer sanctuary must realize ... assisting a refugee in that act of avoiding removal is breaking the law." Janet Dench of the Canadian Council for Refugees says people whose refugee claims have been turned down have three avenues: an appeal to the federal court, which hears only one of 10 cases put before it; an appeal on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, which doesn't stay the deportation; and a risk assessment before the actual removal is carried out.

Alexi Kolosovs's appeal of his deportation order will be heard by the federal court in Toronto on Feb. 4.

Kolosovs argues he should be allowed to stay in Canada because of his unique skills as a netmaker, the impact on his grandchildren - who live an hour away - of losing him, and the fact he'll be sent back to Latvia, where he has no family and cannot speak the language. He also says the Immigration Department took too long - seven years - to decide to deport him.

Dench says while very few appeals are successful, people who seek sanctuary are often allowed to stay in Canada.

"It reflects the fact that many times a church, before they will decide to offer sanctuary, they will look very closely into the case. They don't offer sanctuary because somebody asks for it, they do it because they look at it and say this is a very, very compelling case. Presumably, that is part of the reason why, when the immigration officer or the minister looks at it, they see the same argument."

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=0a683648-a9fa-4b81-9d45-8388082bc274

Two years Too Many! Status for Kader!

Photo by Tatiana Gomez

On 1 January 2006, almost two years ago, Abelkader Belaouni, or Kader, a non-status Algerian man, took refuge in St. Gabriel's church in Montreal to avoid deportation from Canada. Despite an outpouring of support, he has remained a prisoner in the church ever since, unable to leave for fear of being arrested and deported. That's two years too many!

On 18 January, 2008 supporters sent a loud, clear message to the Canadian Immigration Minister to Act NOW to regularize the status of Abdelkader Belaouni.

Video
CBC News (6m30s into the video) - click HERE
Television Radio Canada - cliquez ICI

Radio
Info 690 - cliquez ICI

Print
The Gazette, Marchers Seek Humanitarian Reprieve - click HERE
Le Devoir, Réfugié depuis 750 jours dans un presbytère- cliquez ICI
Le Journal de Montréal, Manifestation en faveur d'Abdelkader- cliquez ICI
Red Deer Advocate, Letter to the Editor - click HERE
The McGill Tribune, Algerian Avoids Deportation - click HERE
The Hour, Two Years and Counting - click HERE

Photo-Essay:
Two Years Too Many - Click HERE

MANIFESTATION EN FAVEUR D'ABDELKADER

Janvier 2008 sera déterminant pour Abdelkader Belaouni, cet Algérien aveugle réfugié depuis maintenant plus de deux ans dans un presbytère pour éviter la déportation dans son pays d'origine.

Hier, dans une dizaine de villes canadiennes, dont Montréal, des centaines de Canadiens ont manifesté pour réclamer du gouvernement conservateur qu'il réévalue le dossier de Abdelkader pour enfin lui accorder le droit de résidence au Canada.

Il y a une dizaine d'années, Abdelkader avait fui la guerre civile dans son pays d'origine pour se réfugier aux États-Unis. Puis, après les attentats de 2001 au World Trade Center, avec le resserrement des mesures de sécurité aux É.-U., il a dû fuir de nouveau parce que les Américains voulaient le déporter en Algérie.

Craignant pour sa vie, il s'était réfugié au Canada. On lui a refusé le statut de réfugié politique et on lui refuse le statut d'immigrant parce, étant aveugle, il ne peut subvenir lui-même à ses besoins.

Asile

Craignant d'être déporté en Algérie, en 2006, Abdelkader a demandé et obtenu asile dans le presbytère de l'église Saint- Gabriel à Pointe-Saint-Charles.

Hier, il en était à son 748e jour de réclusion volontaire. Il ne peut sortir du presbytère de crainte d'être enlevé par les services d'immigration et d'être déporté en Algérie.

Plusieurs centaines de citoyens, les partis politiques d'opposition et près de 250 organismes de tous les horizons ont déjà accordé leur appui au demandeur de statut de réfugié et implorent la ministre Diane Finlay de réviser son dossier et de lui accorder la résidence canadienne pour des raisons humanitaires.

En janvier, le comité d'appui à Abdelkader entend organiser des manifestations dans plusieurs villes, envoyer des chaînes de lettres à la ministre de l'Immigration, organiser un concert de solidarité qui se tiendra le 26 janvier à l'église Saint-Gabriel et tenir une exposition de photos qui révélera au public le genre de vie que doit mener le réfugié depuis qu'il a demandé asile.

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal
DATE: 2008.01.19
EDITION: Final
SECTION: Nouvelles
PAGE: 35
ILLUSTRATION: 1. PHOTO D'ARCHIVES Abdelkader Belaouni vit dans une église.
BYLINE: GILLES PILON LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL

Marchers seek humanitarian reprieve

Blind Algerian refugee claimant Belaouni has been living in a church for two years

IRWIN BLOCK, The Gazette

Supporters of Abdelkader Belaouni, a failed Algerian refugee claimant, took their protest underground yesterday.

After a rally in Phillips Square, an estimated 100 demonstrators descended to the métro level of McGill station and surprised lunch-hour shoppers and diners in the underground city with marching music and slogans.

Led by the 12-member Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble, they shouted: "Two years is too many" - a reference to Belaouni's living in the presbytery of St. Gabriel's Church in Point St. Charles for more than two years.

He sought sanctuary there on Jan. 1, 2006, after losing his bid for refugee status and failing to get a reprieve on humanitarian and compassionate grounds to remain in Canada as a permanent resident. He was ordered deported in January 2006.

The fact Belaouni, 40, is blind and has diabetes adds merit to his claim for humanitarian treatment, his supporters said.

Belaouni left the city of Oran, Algeria, where he worked at his family's grocery store, and fled to the United States in 1996, at the height of the murderous civil war in his native country.

According to Rev. James Macdonald, parish priest at St. Gabriel's, Belaouni is in good spirits because he has a strong support group, many of whom were among the demonstrators.

"He often has someone bringing him food or teaching him piano or the flute or guitar," Macdonald said.

Belaouni deserves to stay in Canada because he has lived in Montreal since March 2003, Macdonald added.

"The sprit of the law gives life. The application of the letter of the law produces death," he told protesters.

Outremont MP Thomas Mulcair, of the New Democratic Party, told demonstrators his caucus believes "deporting a blind man under current circumstances ... is simply unacceptable."

Thierry St-Cyr, the Bloc Québécois MP for Jeanne Le Ber, said he is impressed by Belaouni's simplicity and kindness and by how well he has integrated into the community.

"He can contribute to the community, even if he is blind and in sanctuary," St-Cyr said, noting Belaouni regularly hosts a radio program on CKUT from the presbytery.

After winding through midtown Montreal, the protest ended in front of Citizenship and Immigration offices on St. Antoine St.

St-Cyr added his voice to others appealing for federal Immigration Minister Diane Finley to intervene. Her office in Ottawa said the minister had no comment.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=00f02309-9cf5-4973-b58e-4dc5f688c2d8

Video: Refugee claimant's church sanctuary

To view video:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?main=broadcast&bcid=858&cpvid=1

Abdelkader Belaouni has marked the second anniversary of his deportation order from Canada. The 40 year old, who is blind and suffers from diabetes, found refuge in a Montreal presbytery January 1st, 2006. The Algerian Muslim was living in the U-S but says following the 9-11 attacks, he was placed on a special registration list and his passport was confiscated. He feared imprisonment and deportation to Algeria, prompting his move to Canada in March 2003. Citizenship and Immigration Canada denied his refugee claim on the grounds he was unemployed and had no family in the country. His case has gathered support from about 250 organizations in Quebec and M-P's from each of the four major political parties. From the Canadian Press, I'm Roger Ward.

Refugee claimant hopes for freedom after two years in church sanctuary

MONTREAL - An Algerian refugee claimant who faces deportation says his dream of Canadian status still burns brightly two years after taking sanctuary in a church.

"I feel like I am in jail without reason," Abdelkader Belaouni said Saturday, the second anniversary of his deportation order from Canada.

"I didn't do something wrong. I pay for the office of the immigration's mistake."

Belaouni, who lost his vision 15 years ago and suffers from diabetes, found refuge in a Montreal presbytery on Jan. 1, 2006, days before a warrant was drawn up for his arrest.

He lives in a cramped upstairs room of the century-old building, nestled between two Catholic churches in the city's Pointe-St-Charles neighbourhood.

The grocer from Oran, Algeria feels safe among his possessions - including a small bed, keyboard and blind-assisted computer - but the wait is a lonely one, he says.

"It's small, but for me it's many things," said Belaouni, his eyes closed tight behind oval sunglasses.

"For me, it's my world."

Belaouni immigrated to New York City in 1996 after civil war erupted in Algeria.

But as an Algerian Muslim, he said he faced racial backlash in the U.S. after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Belaouni said he was placed on a special registration list because he came from a country with a Muslim majority, and his passport was confiscated.

He feared imprisonment and deportation to Algeria, prompting his move to Canada in March 2003.

After his arrival, Belaouni worked as a volunteer for several community groups in the working-class neighbourhood, but never found a job.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada denied his refugee claim on the grounds he was unemployed and had no family in the country.

Belaouni's case has gathered support from about 250 organizations in Quebec and MPs from each of the four major political parties. A committee was established to fight for his cause.

Thousands of people have signed petitions, taken part in community marches and sent postcards to the immigration department on his behalf, he said.

"My case is a very strong case," said Belaouni, whose friends also supply his food and medication.

In a letter addressed to federal Immigration Minister Diane Finley in May 2007, his supporters asked the ministry to intervene.

Bloc Quebecois MP Thierry St-Cyr, who represents Belaouni's riding, said refugee claimants have the right to appeal decisions in law, but the government has yet to set up the system.

"I believe that Mr. (Belaouni) didn't have a chance to have a fair decision," St-Cyr said on Saturday.

"We know that he's well-integrated... into his community. He's willing to work to contribute to society, so I believe that his situation should be regularized and that the minister should take the appropriate measures to correct this situation."

Finley's office would not comment on the specific case, but said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees views Canada's refugee policy as an example for other countries.

"I will say that Canada has a fair, internationally-recognized system for providing refuge for those fleeing persecution in their home country," Finley's spokesman Tim Vail wrote in an e-mail Saturday.

"It is imperative for the integrity of this system that all individuals respect our immigration laws."

Meanwhile, Belaouni will continue to host a monthly radio program called "Hour of Power" on a community station. His show tackles social issues, such as poverty and youth support.

"I want to find justice and this is the best country in the world you can find justice," he said through his thick accent.

"If not find justice in Canada, you'll never find it."

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5j5rjNzg5RWjaOzz5WdAAXh-c_x7g

Algerian should not be deported

I write this letter to draw attention to a case regarding Canada Immigration and a man who has spent 600 days in sanctuary in St. Gabriel's Church in Montreal.

Canada has left this man no other choice but to defy an deportation order by taking sanctuary in a church.

He is from Algeria, a country full of strife, and a return to this country would put him in harm's way.

Sending him back to Algeria would be like throwing a bone to a hungry dog.

Abdlekader Belaouni has applied for and been refused immigration status for no clear reason.

Kader, as he is referred to by friends, is supported by individuals, as well as dozens of organizations, community groups and a five-person sponsorship.

Canada is always sending troops to "save" another country and here in our own country of Canada we have a man who needs to get on with his life. Yet, he is virtually being held prisoner.

For more information on this injustice taking place right here in Canada, go to www.soutienpourkader.net or you can write or e-mail MP Bob Mills or Minister of Immigration Diane Finley.

I see no reason not to grant Kader status. He is not a criminal and I believe that his blindness is being held against him.

Please help this man stay in Canada.

Call or e-mail your MP today.

Judy Spenceley

Red Deer County

PUBLICATION: Red Deer Advocate
DATE: 2008.01.18
SECTION: Letters
PAGE: A6
COLUMN: Letter to the editor
WORD COUNT: 170

Réfugié depuis 750 jours dans un presbytère

Photo: Jacques Nadeau

Guillaume Bourgault-Côté

Des sympathisants demandent à la ministre de l'Immigration de faire preuve d'humanité

Sept cent cinquante jours plus tard, l'Algérien Abdelkader Belaouni reste dans l'incertitude la plus totale quant à son avenir. Aveugle et diabétique, cet homme, réfugié depuis plus de deux ans dans un sanctuaire de Montréal, attend toujours un signe de la part du ministère de l'Immigration dans l'espoir de régulariser sa situation.

Mais ce signe ne vient pas, ont dénoncé hier une centaine de manifestants réunis à Montréal. Seule la ministre Diane Finley a la prérogative d'accorder à M. Belaouni le statut de résidant permanent pour motifs humanitaires. Sinon, le réfugié a épuisé tous les recours possibles pour éviter l'expulsion vers les États-Unis et, ultimement, l'Algérie.

M. Belaouni, de confession musulmane, s'est réfugié le 1er janvier 2006 au presbytère de l'église Saint-Gabriel, dans le quartier Pointe-Saint-Charles. Depuis, confiné, l'homme attend. A ce jour, il a reçu l'appui de plus de 500 personnes et 71 organismes, dont la Ligue des droits et libertés et Amnesty International. Ils ont tous écrit à la ministre Finley pour lui demander d'agir.

«Un peu d'humanité et d'ouverture de la part de Mme Finley pourrait faire la différence», a affirmé Thomas Mulcair, député néo-démocrate d'Outremont, qui était présent à la manifestation d'hier. «C'est gênant de penser qu'au XXIe siècle, on soit obligé de protéger une personne aveugle dans un sanctuaire pour lui éviter la déportation.» Depuis deux ans, les responsables du dossier de l'immigration des trois partis d'opposition à Ottawa ont tous demandé à Mme Finley de redonner sa liberté à M. Belaouni, mais sans succès.

Au Canada depuis 2003

Abdelkader Belaouni est arrivé au Canada en mars 2003 après un séjour de six ans aux États-Unis. Il affirme avoir fui l'Algérie pour ne pas avoir à collaborer avec des groupes armés impliqués dans la guerre civile. Sa demande d'obtention du statut de réfugié a été rejetée par la Commission de l'immigration et du statut de réfugié en janvier 2004.

Ce refus était basé sur des contradictions apparentes entre deux déclarations faites par M. Belaouni. De même, ses demandes d'examen des risques avant renvoi ont été refusées au motif qu'il n'a pas de famille au Canada et qu'il n'a pas réussi à trouver un emploi pendant les premiers mois qu'il a passés ici (M. Belaouni a toutefois fait du bénévolat pour divers organismes).

«On demande que la ministre respecte l'esprit de la Loi de l'immigration au lieu de l'appliquer à la lettre», a lancé le père James McDonald, qui accueille le réfugié dans son presbytère.

http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/01/19/172468.html

Kader: Vernissage Guerilla devant la CISR

VERNISSAGE GUERILLA DEVANT LES BUREAUX DE LA COMMISSION DE L'IMMIGRATION ET
DU STATUT DE RÉFUGIÉ

704 : Still here / Toujours là - Une exposition de photographies d'Abdelkader Belaouni.

--> Reportage photo du vernissage : www.gallery.cmaq.net/

Le 5 décembre dernier, une délégation de 30 ami(e)s et supporteur(e)s d'Abdelkader Belaouni (Kader) ont organisé un vernissage de photographies sur chevalets humains devant les bureaux de la Commission de l'immigration et du statut de réfugié (CISR).

704 : Still here / Toujours là met en image les 704 jours passés ensanctuaire par monsieur Belaouni. L'exposition se déplace aujourd'hui pour s'installer pendant un mois dans le quartier de Pointe-St-Charles, le quartier de monsieur Belaouni, où elle sera exposée dans les locaux des Services juridiques communautaires de Pointe-St-Charles et Petite-Bourgogne, 2533, rue Centre, bur. 101 (métro Charlevoix). Lundi au vendredi de 8h30 à 16h30. Pour visionner les photos : www.tatianagomez.net/kb2/.

Depuis le 1er janvier 2006, sous la menace d'être déporté, Kader vit en reclus et ne peut quitter l'Église St-Gabriel de Pointe-St-Charles où il a pris refuge à Montréal. Sa demande d'asyle a été refusée par Laurier Thibault, un commissaire de la CISR qui a refusé 99 % des demandes lui ayant été soumises en deux ans.

À travers 704 :Still Here/Toujours là, la photographe montréalaise Tatiana Gomez nous offre un portrait intime de la réalité de Kader, son quotidien en sanctuaire et sa vigueur à maintenir l'espoir et sa dignité malgré les atteintes à sa liberté.

« En le mettant dans une situation où il n'a pas le choix de prendre sanctuaire, en le forçant à se réfugier dans une église, le gouvernement tente de rendre ses actions et monsieur Belaouni lui-même invisibles », selon madame Gomez. « Nous sommes ici aujourd'hui pour rompre cette
invisibilité, pour faire sortir Kader par l'entremise de ces photos qui témoignent des défis quotidiens auxquels il fait face ainsi que du nombre sans cesse croissant d'appuis qu'il récolte dans ses démarches pour vivre avec un statut et toute sa dignité au Canada. »

Rick Goldman, porte-parole de la Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes (TCRI) a aussi pris la parole.

L'événement s'est terminé par une procession de l'exposition dans la ville souterraine, menée par une fanfare qui accompagnait le tout d'une musique festive depuis le Complexe Guy-Favreau jusqu'au métro Place-des-Arts, où des centaines de spectateurs ont pu regarder les photographies déambulantes portées par des chevalets humains.

Le 1er janvier 2008 marquera le deuxième anniversaire du sanctuaire d'Abdelkader (Kader) Belaouni, qui a pris refuge en 2006 à l'Église Saint-Gabriel. Kader continue d'exiger une régularisation immédiate de son statut, afin qu'il puisse quitter l'église sans risquer l'arrestation et la déportation et qu'il puisse continuer sa vie au Canada.

Sous la bannière ""DEUX ANS, C'EST DEUX ANS DE TROP!": un statut pour Kader maintenant!", nous vous invitons à vous joindre à nous pour deux événements très importants :

* vendredi le 18 janvier 2008: Journée internationale d'action avec une manifestation à Montréal
* samedi le 26 janvier 2008: Souper communautaire avec concert à l'Église Saint-Gabriel


Contexte : www.soutienpourkader.net

------------------
Comité de soutien d'Abdelkader Belaouni
soutienkader@gmail.com
Tél : 514-691-0567

Kader: Guerilla Art Show at Montreal IRB Offices

GUERILLA VERNISSGE AT MONTREAL IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE BOARD OFFICES
704: Still here/ Toujours là - An exhibition of photographs of Abdelkader
Belaouni.

--> Photo essay of the guerrilla vernissage: http://photos.cmaq.net/v/704/

A delegation of 30 friends and supporters of Abdelkader Belaouni set up a photo vernissage - with human easels - in front of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) offices on December 5th.

The exhibit, which portrays Mr. Belaouni's 704 days in sanctuary, will move to his neighborhood of Pointe St-Charles today. 704: Still here/Toujours là will be displayed for the coming month in the offices of the Community Legal Services of Pointe St-Charles and Little Burgundy, 2533
Centre St. # 101 (Charlevoix metro). They can be visited Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30pm. The photos can also be viewed on line at www.tatianagomez.net/kb2/.

Since 1 January 2006, Abdelkader Belaouni, has been confined to St Gabriel's church in Pointe St.-Charles, Montreal. Under threat of deportation, he is unable to leave church property. Mr. Belaouni was refused by an IRB Commissioner, Laurier Thibault, who refused 99% of the cases
before him in a two-year period.

Through 704: Still here/ Toujours là, Montreal-based photographer Tatiana Gomez offers an intimate portrait of Kader, his life in sanctuary and his struggle to keep hope and dignity alive.

"By forcing him to seek sanctuary, to be imprisoned within the church, the government has tried to make Kader's life invisible", said Gomez, "We are here today to break that invisibility, bringing him here through these portraits and testifying to the day-to-day realities of his life in sanctuary and the growing support for his struggle to live with dignity and status in Canada."

Rick Goldman, of the Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes (TCRI) also spoke at the vernissage.

At the end of the event, a marching band led the procession of human easels through the city's underground, from Complexe Guy Favreau to Place-des-Arts metro, while hundreds of on-lookers enjoyed the unexpected photo exhibit and musical performance.

January 1, 2008 will be the 2 year mark since Abdelkader (Kader) Belaouni took sanctuary in St. Gabriel's Church. Kader continues to demand an immediate regularization of his status so that he can leave the church without the risk of arrest and deportation, and continue his life here, in Canada.

Under the banner ""TWO YEARS TOO MANY!", Status for Kader NOW!", we invite you to join us at two important events :

* Friday, 18 January 2008: International Day of Action with Montreal march
in support of status for Kader
* Saturday, 26 January 2008: Community dinner and Cultural event at St.
Gabriel's Church

Background: www.soutienpourkader.net

Refugee free after 21 months hiding in Ottawa church

CBC
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 | 11:06 AM ET

An Ethiopian man who has been hiding in an Ottawa church for more than a year and a half after his refugee claim was rejected can stay in Canada, the government has decided.

Moti Nano strolled beside a busy Ottawa highway Tuesday enjoying his new liberty, days after Citizenship and Immigration Canada revoked the order to deport him to his home country, where he said he would be tortured or killed.

"I just enjoyed the nature. Even looking at these cars, I just started to sense what to live in freedom looks like," he said after stepping out the door of All Saints Lutheran Church near the Queensway, where he has lived in a cramped Sunday school classroom for the past 21 months.

Nano's lawyer Mike Bell learned Friday of the decision, which was made on compassionate and humanitarian grounds.

It means Nano will be allowed to work and can apply to be a landed immigrant.

Nano sought refuge at the church in January 2006 after a refugee board adjudicator turned down his claim, saying that it was not credible.

Bell said it's very difficult to have decisions based on credibility overturned by a federal court.

He also handled the similar cases of Samsu Mia and Maoua Diomande, two other refugees who sought sanctuary in Ottawa churches after being ordered deported by the same adjudicator, who has now retired, and were eventually allowed to stay in Canada.

He thinks there should be a formal appeal process for refugees, as do members of the church's sanctuary committee.

The committee got Nano in touch with Bell and members such as Paul Merkley lobbied hard to have the deportation order lifted.

"Parliament has passed legislation asking for an appeal procedure. And the government has never seen fit to implement that," Merkley said. "So we're hoping that the government will learn from these cases."

Nano said he isn't angry with the Canadian government, but hopes no one else will have to go what he went through.

"I think this reminds me of the experience of a woman at the time when she is going to give birth," he said. "It is painful, but once she gives birth … she gets happy and excited and she forgets about all things."

--

Protestors target Finley in support of blind Algerian refugee

KAREN BEST
Local News - Wednesday, September 12, 2007 @ 12:00

A group of protesters brought a banner, signs bearing the image of an Algerian refugee and hope that Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration could help.

On Sept. 7 at 9:30 a.m., about 20 supporters of Abdelkader Belaouni stopped by Haldimand-Norfolk MP Diane Finley's office in Simcoe.

Four of them requested a meeting with the minister but were later told staff had left a message at her Ottawa office. When three staff members left while Norfolk County OPP stood by, one staff member said Finley was in Ottawa.

On Sept. 11, Finely said she was called back to Ottawa on Sept. 6 at the last minute. Receiving over 100 meeting requests a week, she said she could not possible meet with each person.

To read more:
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=690837&catname=Local+News

La lutte pour le statut de Kader s'est transporté en Ontario le 7 septembre dernier.

Par Marcel Sévigny

Impossible d'avoir quelque contact que ce soit avec la ministre de l'Immigration du Canada depuis maintenant 20 mois, une délégation avec en tête le comité d'appui à AbdelKader Belaouni s'est pointé le nez dans le comté de la ministre Diane Finley, vendredi le 7 septembre dernier.

On sait qu'en juin dernier une délégation s'était rendue à Ottawa pour tenter de rencontrer la Ministre, mais celle-ci avait bloqué tous les appels affluant à son bureau, refusant, sans le dire ouvertement, la demande de rencontre qui lui était adressée. Le comité avait profité de l'occasion pour faire une conférence de presse au Parlement accompagné du député local du Bloc Thierry St-Cyr et du critique du NPD en matière d'immigration qui supporte fermement l'obtention d'un statut d'AbdelKader.

Cette fois-ci la délégation voulait porter le message directement dans le comté de la Ministre, Les gens de Montréal ont du parcourir près de 700 kilomètres jusqu'à la ville de Simcoe dans le comté de Haldimand-Norfolk à l'ouest de Toronto, pour tenter d'entrer en contact avec la Ministre afin d'obtenir une date de rencontre. C'est le principal objectif à court terme.

La délégation au nombre de 25 personnes dont 2 personnes de la Pointe (moi-même comme citoyen du quartier et du collectif La Pointe libertaire et Mary Foster) était composée d'une dizaine de personnes de Montréal, dont l'avocat de Kader, et des représentantEs de groupes de la région de Toronto. Quelques syndicats locaux des Travailleurs canadiens de l'automobile, des groupes anti-racistes, anti-pauvreté et anti-guerre, la section de Toronto de "personne n'est illégal", des représentants de certaines communautés religieuses, etc.

4 personnes ont pénétré dans le bureau de comté de Diane Finley, dont moi-même. Comme nous nous y attendions la Ministre n'était pas sur les lieux. Les 2 employéEs, un homme et une femme ont commencé par nous affirmer que ce bureau n'était que pour les dossiers des résidents du comté. À partir de ce moment notre demande fut qu'une des personnes demande par téléphone au bureau de la Ministre une rencontre avec le comité.

Refus total. Peu après, comme s'il y avait un bouton d'alarme qui pouvait être déclencher sous un bureau, un policier de l'OPP (Ontario provincial police) est arrivé et a pris le relais dans les "négociations". Bien formé à ce genre de discussion semble-t-il, il a tenté de statuer que les 2 parties s'étaient expliquée afin de nous retourner dehors. Comme nous avons refusé de bouger (aucune occupation n'était prévue) nous avons proposé un "compromis", à savoir que l'employée, qui nous avais expliqué qu'elle ne pouvait pas téléphoner au bureau de la Ministre, fasse un appel directement devant nous.

Sous l'insistance du policier, elle a communiqué au bureau de la Ministre avec la demande de rencontre du comité. On nous promettait une réponse dans la ½ heure suivante. 30 minutes plus tard, nous sommes retourné à l'intérieur et aucune réponse, semble-t-il, n'avais été retournée de la part du bureau de la Ministre. Revenant à l'extérieur nous avons alors discuté de stratégie et lorsque la délégation a voulu revenir dans le bureau les portes étaient verrouillées et le sont restées jusqu'à notre départ quelques heures plus tard. Pendant cette période un petit groupe est allé au centre-ville de Simcoe pour distribuer des dépliants d'info sur le dossier AbdelKader.

Le journal local et une radio locale ont couvert l'événement sur les lieux.

Rappelons qu'AbdelKader, qui fait face à un ordre de déportation, est réfugié à l'église St-Gabriel depuis maintenant 616 jours et doit compter sur le support direct de la communauté locale pour la nourriture, la santé (il souffre du diabète et est aveugle), les visites de soutien, etc.

Un appel

Nous savons que durant l'été les visites à Kader sont beaucoup plus espacées et son moral est actuellement au plus bas. Nous lançons un appel aux citoyenNEs et groupes du quartier pour augmenter les formes de soutien direct afin de minimiser les impacts de cette "prison sans barreaux" et participer aux pressions organisées par le comité d'appui à AbdelKader.

Quant au collectif La Pointe libertaire, il a décidé d'organiser une activité de soutien direct cet automne tout en continuant à supporter activement le comité d'appui à AbdelKader.

Pour en savoir plus: www.soutienpourkader.net

http://lapointelibertaire.org/node/330

He paints seagulls and longs to be free

Shree Kumar Rai lives his days confined in a church, fearing for his life if he returns to Nepal and afraid Canada will continue to reject him

Kelly Egan, The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Sunday, September 16, 2007

Shree Kumar Rai has been trapped in a church for seven months, spending his days in a cinder-block room with lime-green furniture and the chatterings of CBC radio. When Mr. Rai left Nepal in 1996, his son was a boy. Now he is 14 and nearly a man. For his 11 years in Canada, the father has had only one steady presence in his life -- a gnawing absence.

But he has found a way to bring the outside world in. Mr. Rai has learned to paint.

A failed refugee claimant, Mr. Rai, 44, was ordered deported by Feb. 27, the same day he voluntarily sought sanctuary inside First Unitarian Congregation, an activist church along the Ottawa River near Woodroffe Avenue.

He is confined to the grounds here and an elaborate network of 75 volunteers provides round-the-clock company, even sleeping in the next room on a rotating schedule.

For up to six hours a day, Mr. Rai paints landscapes -- trees, mountains, ponds, flowers -- mostly from images he finds on the Internet. His talent is evident. One work in particular delights him: a painting depicting a sea-gull flying toward the setting sun on a palm-treed beach.

Yes, that is how he dreams of himself. Free as a bird.

First Unitarian held something of pep-rally and update for Mr. Rai on Friday evening. It consisted of a short theatrical performance and a talk by Peter Showler, a lawyer and academic who is the former chairman of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

Mr. Rai himself spoke before a crowd of perhaps 100, doing his best in patchy English. He held the microphone in his right hand, left hand jammed in his pocket, eyes often fixed on the floor.

He wore shiny new white running shoes, as though anxious to make tracks. Behind him, visible through a wall of windows, the tree-tops flapped noisily away in a hard wind.

He was a school teacher in Nepal from 1987 to 1990. During a protest against the killing of a political leader in 1993, he was jailed and beaten. In 1995, he was arrested again and accused of smuggling arms into the country.

In February 1996, his home was raided. Police seized his father who would later die of injuries suffered while in custody.

"He was my father and he died because of me," he told the audience.

Mr. Rai, fearing for his life, fled to Canada via Moscow, settling in Montreal, where he learned to become a sushi chef.

His refugee claim, meanwhile, was twice rejected. Mr. Rai is worried about retribution if he returns to his homeland and longs to bring his wife and son to Canada.

Mr. Showler, with 25 years experience in immigration law, delivered a concise analysis of the case. He was dressed entirely in black, save for T-shirt with a white iconic image above the words: "Einstein was a refugee." Mr. Showler stopped short of saying Mr. Rai is a bona fide refugee, but made a persuasive argument for faulty process.

"I think he's been treated badly by the system," said Mr. Showler, chairman of the refugee board for three years and a judge on hundreds of cases.

It was four years before Mr. Rai had his first hearing, an unreasonable length of time, he argued. The delay aside, the claimant did not have adequate legal counsel. This led to "a clear error of law" that was corrected on appeal.

The second hearing took three more years, a delay he called inexcusable. "Clearly, he was lost in the shuffle and that's not his fault, it's the fault of the system." Mr. Showler also found portions of the second ruling bizarre and illogical. "I don't think he received a good second hearing." He said Canada has moved to a system where it permits refugee hearings to be heard by a single panel member. It is a great way to clear up a backlog, he said, but the government failed to act on the second part of the promised initiative -- an efficient appeal system.

"There is no appeal of single-member decision, even though Parliament said there should be and that's inexcusable," said Mr. Showler.

"The real concern is nobody knows the number of badly decided cases by single members that are not being caught by this application-for-leave process to the Federal Court. This is the scary part." Mr. Showler said refugee board judges have one of the toughest jobs in the Canadian judiciary. There is no paper trail for victims of torture and their stories are often impossible to corroborate, while language barriers and stress disorders can make their narratives that much weaker.

The work can be gratifying, however.

"You hear tremendously heart-breaking stories. The other side of being a member, when you hear a story that you believe, and conclude the person is a refugee, it's fabulous to be able to say, 'yes, you're safe. You've undergone these horrific experiences in your life, but you are safe.' "There are a lot of tears in refugee hearing rooms, as well, but some of those are tears of relief and joy." A community rally for Mr. Rai is being planned for Oct. 24.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=a1cfd916-d464-4c36-8a53-deec545573e1&p=1

Singh can return to temple, with conditions

Must post $50,000 bond, present himself to officials if ordered out
Elaine O'Connor, The Province (Vancouver)
Published: Thursday, August 23, 2007
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=93b54dd6-8348-4923-9b96-1e4a908b388b

For $50,000, Laibar Singh can return to the Abbotsford temple where he sought sanctuary last month, for the rest of his legal stay in Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Board ruled yesterday at his detention hearing.

Singh, a failed refugee-claimant who entered Canada on a forged passport in 2003 claiming political persecution, suffered paralysis after a brain aneurysm a year ago. He requires intensive medical care, including thrice-weekly dialysis.

He was ordered deported on July 8, but fled to the temple July 7 and escaped deportation. He was arrested Aug. 13 after leaving the temple to seek medical attention and again ordered deported.

But at the 11th hour, on Aug. 18, he was granted a 60-day stay of deportation by Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day. Singh had been detained at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre.

Board member Mark Tessler ruled that Singh could return to the Gurdwara Kalgidhar Darbar Sahib temple that harboured him so long as he met several conditions to ensure he will present himself to Canadian Border Services Agency for deportation when and if the time comes.

Singh must post a $50,000 bond and produce a letter from Gurdwara officials promising to relinquish him when the time comes. Singh must report to the refugee board by phone weekly.

"As Mr. Singh is not about to be removed [from Canada] for 60 days, the imperative to consider alternatives to detention are quite a bit higher," Tessler said. "If Mr. Singh were a person in good health I may be more inclined to continue his detention."

Another Immigration and Refugee Board member had previously ruled that Singh was too great a flight risk to be let out of prison.

Singh's lawyer, Zool Suleman, said yesterday he was "reasonably happy with the outcome."

"We're guardedly optimistic and we are happy that release has been ordered, but we find the terms a bit onerous," Suleman said, citing the high bond amount.

Suleman said he has launched an appeal with the minister of immigration on humanitarian grounds, which means Singh's case could drag on much longer than 60 days.

The counsel for the minister, Gregory Zuck, had asked that Singh not be released from detention because he posed a significant flight risk. If released, he said, Singh should at least be subject to a $150,000 bond.

Many in B.C.'s Sikh community have urged the government to grant Singh citizenship on humanitarian grounds due to his frail health and the lack of adequate health care in India.

He has garnered letters of support from federal and provincial politicians and a number of unions, religious and cultural groups.

It costs the Canadian health-care system more than $146,000 a year to care for the 48-year-old. A medically staffed flight home would cost taxpayers $68,700.

Singh has four children in India.

MYTHS & REALITIES IN MR. LAIBAR SINGH'S CASE

MYTHS AND REALITIES IN MR. SINGH’S CASE: KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE YOU MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

* Mr. Laibar 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. Everyone in sanctuary has overstayed a deportation order, not just Singh.
* Mr. Laibar 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.
* Mr. Laibar Singh has not exhausted all his legal avenues. He has a pending Humanitarian and Compassionate review.
* Mr. Laibar Singh's refusal as a refugee claimant must be understood in the context of a climate where an increasing number of sanctuary cases -- currently at least 10 sanctuary cases across Canada -- represent a growing movement of faith communities that are witnessing and responding to the structural flaws in the immigration and refugee system.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY TO PRESSURE IMMIGRATION MINISTER FINLAY!

At this point, we are calling on all supporters, friends, and allies to PRESSURE IMMIGRATION MINISTER DIANE FINLAY to stay Mr. Singh’s deportation and demand that he be accepted on his pending humanitarian and compassionate exemption.

* CALL (PREFERABLE)

: (613) 996-4974 or (519) 426-3400

* FAX: (613) 996-9749

* EMAIL: minister@cic.gc.ca and Finley.D@parl.gc.ca

======> SAMPLE LETTER <========

Minister Finley,

Regarding: Laibar Singh

I am writing regarding the situation of Mr. Laiber Singh. I am sure that you are aware of the case of Mr. Laiber Singh, who is currently in custody and is facing deportation on Monday August 20, 2007.

Mr. Laibar Singh is a paralyzed Punjabi refugee claimant who has been in sanctuary since July 7 2007 at Abbortsford Sahib Kalgidhar Darbar Gurudwara. Mr. 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. Mr. Singh suffered from an aneurysm in August 2006 that left him paralyzed and unable to feed himself. Mr. Singh spent four months at Vancouver General Hospital and had also been at the George Pearson Centre receiving 24-hour care since December 2006.

While in sanctuary, Mr. Singh’s health deteriorated and had to be hospitalized. On Monday August 13, while in the hospital, Abbottsford police and Canadian Border Services Agency officers detained Mr. Laibar Singh.

I believe these actions to be a violation of sanctuary and am deeply concerned about the fate of Mr. Singh. 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.

Mr. Singh has the support of many community members, South Asian organizations, human rights groups, and disability advocates. I join these voices in expressing my support for Mr. Laibar Singh. 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 approve his application for permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds immediately.

Sincerely,

NAME:
ADDRESS:

Deportation nearer for paralyzed Sikh man

JANE ARMSTRONG
The Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070816.BCSINGH16/TPStory/National

August 16, 2007

VANCOUVER -- A failed refugee claimant who sought sanctuary in an Abbotsford Sikh temple but landed in jail after he made a brief trip to the hospital is a step closer to deportation.

An Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada member yesterday ordered Laibar Singh, 48, to remain in custody until arrangements can be made for him to be flown home to India on Monday.

It was a disappointing decision for the ailing Mr. Singh, who was partly paralyzed by an aneurysm last fall. Too infirm to attend the hearing, he listened to the proceedings from a cellphone at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam, where he's being cared for by medical staff.

Throngs of supporters from British Columbia's Sikh community lined up for more than an hour to get one of 50 seats available in the small immigration hearing room.

Mr. Singh's lawyer, who had hoped to get his client released, was saddened by the development and appealed to Immigration Minister Diane Finley to intervene and permit Mr. Singh to remain in Canada.

"Given the huge amount of community support here, it would be remiss on the part of the minister to not speak to this personally," Zool Suleman told reporters outside the downtown office building where the hearing occurred.

Mr. Singh's plight has galvanized Sikhs across British Columbia's Lower Mainland, especially in Abbotsford, where he was holed up for a month.

Supporter Surdev Singh Jatana said fellow Sikhs were prepared to shelter Mr. Singh indefinitely and pay his medical expenses until his condition improved.

"We never thought in a country like Canada that this would happen," Mr. Jatana said. "He was getting better and most of us were wanting him to get better, and be able to look after his children."

Mr. Singh, a widowed father of four, entered Canada illegally in 2003 and soon after made a refugee claim, alleging he faced persecution by Punjabi police because he had been falsely linked to a Khalistan nationalist group whose goal is to form a Sikh state. His claim, made in Montreal, was rejected and he was ordered deported, but he fled to Vancouver.

Mr. Singh's children are all in India.

But the lawyer for the Canada Border Services Agency painted Mr. Singh's actions in Canada in a darker light.

Gregory Zuck told the hearing Mr. Singh has been dodging authorities since his refugee claim was rejected three years ago. He failed to show up for ordered appointments with immigration authorities, then moved from Montreal to Vancouver without providing a change of address.

After he fell ill in Vancouver, border services withdrew Mr. Singh's arrest warrant until he recovered.

Then, one day before Mr. Singh's scheduled deportation last month, a visitor appeared at the Vancouver long-term care centre where he was being treated, Mr. Zuck said, and asked to take Mr. Singh to a temple to pray.

Mr. Singh vowed to return but did not.

At the time, border officials had arranged for a private plane, complete with private nurse and doctor, to take Mr. Singh back to India. The tab was nearly $69,000, which is still owed to the private aircraft company, Mr. Zuck said.

Canadian authorities had also arranged for Mr. Singh to be taken to a renowned New Delhi hospital to be assessed.

However, Mr. Suleman argued that his client won't get proper care in India, noting he doesn't have the money to pay for top-quality rehabilitative care.

The lawyer asserted that Canadian authorities, in arresting Mr. Singh in the hospital, breached a long-held tradition to respect the walls of a place of worship. The only reason Mr. Singh left the temple earlier this month was to get needed medical treatment for an infection, Mr. Suleman said.

Immigration and Refugee Board member Otto Nupponen said he sympathized with Mr. Singh but refused to release him, saying he posed a flight risk.

"Mr. Singh is in a truly difficult position," Mr. Nupponen said, but added Canadian officials have shown restraint and sensitivity in dealing with his case.

"Canada Border Services Agency went to great lengths to ensure the removal order was effected as suitably and compassionately as possible."

B.C. refugee claimant ordered deported — again

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

CBC News

A man who sought refuge in an Abbotsford, B.C., temple to avoid deportation must stay in a detention centre until he's sent back to India next week, the Immigration and Refugee Board has ruled.

Supporters for Laiber Singh were out in force Wednesday outside the venue where the immigration detention review was being held in Vancouver.
(CBC)

The board said on Wednesday Laiber Singh is a flight risk who won't co-operate with the deportation order if he's allowed to leave detention.

Singh, 48, was arrested at Matsqui-Sumas-Abbotsford General Hospital Monday night after leaving the Kalgidhar Darbar Sahib Society temple to seek medical attention.

Singh, absent from Wednesday's hearing because of his medical condition, will now be deported on Aug. 20, the board said.

He entered Canada on a false passport four years ago, then applied for refugee status, claiming political persecution if he was sent back to India. His application was rejected and he was ordered deported on July 8.

He took sanctuary at the Abbotsford Sikh temple before he could be deported.

A large group of Singh's supporters showed up at the building in downtown Vancouver where the hearing was held to protest the Canada Border Services Agency's "unfair" arrest methods.

Swarn Singh Gill, the leader of the Kalgidhar Darbar Sahib Society temple in Abbotsford, B.C., said on Wednesday it was unfair to arrest the ailing Laiber Singh in hospital.
(CBC)

"The [Sikh] community is very upset right now," Swarn Singh Gill, the temple leader, said Wednesday. He said arresting the man while he is in hospital with medical problems was unfair. Singh is paralyzed and requires dialysis after suffering an aneurysm last year.

Immigration officials chose not to enter the Sikh temple to carry out the deportation. Singh was only taken into custody after he left the temple to seek medical attention.

Zool Suleman, Singh's lawyer, said Wednesday there is little hope for his client now; the last possibility would be to file for a federal stay of removal.

"There's just barely enough time. The earliest this can be heard would be Friday or on Monday morning, but the removal arrangements might well be effective by then," Suleman told CBC News.

"I think this is something we'll consider within the next few hours in terms of whether we're going to go forward with a federal court matter."

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/08/15/bc-singh.html

To view report:

http://www.cbc.ca/clips/rm-hi/brown-singh070709.rm

Refugee claimant arrested at hospital after leaving B.C. temple

Paralyzed man took sanctuary in Abbotsford, B.C., temple after losing refugee claim
CBC News

The Canada Border Services Agency has detained a man who sought sanctuary in an Abbotsford, B.C., Sikh temple after he left to seek medical attention Monday night.

Laiber Singh was arrested at Matsqui-Sumas-Abbotsford General Hospital at 10 p.m. PT after leaving the Kalgidhar Darbar Sahib Society temple.

Supporters wheel Laiber Singh out of the Kalgidhar Darbar Sahib Society temple where he had taken sanctuary in Abbotsford , to speak to reporters, July 9, 2007.

The 48-year-old is the subject of a deportation order issued July 8.

Faith St. John, the agency's Pacific region spokeswoman, told CBC News on Tuesday that detainees do have access to necessary medical treatment.

"In cases where there are health concerns, the Canada Border Services Agency consults with medical professionals and relies on their expertise to determine if a person is in a condition to travel," St. John said, declining to comment on Singh's case.

"Based on this informationm, we identify ways to best accommodate the individual," she said.

Singh's lawyer, Zool Suleman, said Singh, who is partially paralyzed, went to hospital to seek medical attention.

"It's unclear at this time where he's being held and what Canada Border Services' intentions are for him," Suleman said.

"We're extremely concerned, given his health condition, that he has been detained."

Suleman said his main concern is ensuring that Singh is receiving proper medical attention while in detention.

Came to Canada on false passport

Singh was healthy when he entered Canada on a false passport in 2003. At a refugee hearing, he argued he would be persecuted by police in the Indian state of Punjab who have accused him of links to separatist militants.

But since arriving in Canada, he has developed serious medical problems. After suffering an aneurysm, he was partially paralyzed.

He then argued that if deported to India, he would die because he wouldn't get proper medical treatment there.

After losing his refugee claim and appeals, Singh was ordered deported, but turned to the temple for sanctuary.

Supporters at the temple said they would take care of Singh and provide medical treatment, and that doctors and nurses had volunteered to take care of him.

He has no family in Canada, but has children in India.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/08/14/bc-laibersingh.html