Activists demand release of Tamil migrants held in B.C.
Vancouver activists are calling for Tamil migrants who arrived by cargo ship in B.C. last week to be released from detention.
An event is planned for Saturday, August 21, at 3:30 p.m. at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street to mark a “national day of action” to support those who travelled aboard the Sun Sea.
“It is well known that Tamils in Sri Lanka are fleeing military atrocities and mass displacement,” says a statement from the activist group No One Is Illegal.
“The only crime the migrants have committed is transgressing this imposed settler-colonial border,” the group says.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency, the ship carried 380 men, 63 women, and 49 minors.
The migrants have been detained in the Metro Vancouver area and some placed with the B.C. children’s ministry, the agency says.
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has commenced detention review hearings.
No One Is Illegal also calls for an “end to racist and restrictive refugee policies”.
Comments
7 Comments
Philospher
Aug 17, 2010 at 2:22pm
It is fortunate for these people that they can afford to pay and obtain transportation to Canada. Although Tamils are seriously mistreated, they are in a survivable situation. There are however, many, many more people in the world ie: Darfur etc. who are starving and dying horrible deaths every day and who probably deserve to come to Canada much more then Tamils but don't have the cash or rescources to hire a ship. It is always those who have the money who can jump the queue.
dreadnugent
Aug 17, 2010 at 2:32pm
Well with a name like that... what else are they gonna say.... The rest of us are members of " No One Gives A Crap About Cheating Tamils And Want Them Deported Right Now"...... and we outnumber you a 10000 to 1 ... best of luck with your little protest...
David L.
Aug 17, 2010 at 4:14pm
Get a grip on reality , these people are not following the rules , they are paying someone to get into Canada NOT applying properly and waiting there turn.
I say get rid of them quickly.
Have a nice day
Shawn
Aug 19, 2010 at 11:29am
From RabbleTV, a video commentary: "Terrorists, traffickers, and Tamil Tigers? Oh my..." | http://bit.ly/tamil-boat
canadiansuckers
Aug 20, 2010 at 11:07am
You know 10 more boats are on the way depending on how we handle this. With 500 people at 40K per person, that is 200 million in revenue. That buys a lot of a weapons and explosives. Maybe we can make up cool posters saying: "Canada; proudly supporting terrorists and smugglers all around the world !!"
BetterThanYOU01
Aug 24, 2010 at 11:43am
You guys all need to relax and look at this point from a HUMAN being perspective rather than an abnoxious and selfish foooool. Just because there were a group of people who went against the rights as tamils it doesnt make every tamil out there a terrorist.BTW, im not a tamil so dont think im supporting " my people"...my opinion towards this will never change hence the religion, race or what other people from that race had done in the past. Also, some say that other people are living the same hell as these tamils..but these people took the courage to travel in a boat for what? 3 months? risking there lives and there loved ones and there MONEY! what if they died in the middle of the ocean or the people cheated them? without thinking of anything th ey got on that boat searching for a new life. I say..all those people who are against this topic with the tamils migration need to RELAXX and stop making it a big issue.
Simonae
Sep 2, 2010 at 2:36pm
I've never heard such 'BUNK' than those comments made by 'Better Than You01!!!
This is a question of HUMAN rights toots MINE. I'm friggin tired of supporting a bunch of mooches who will probably NEVER work in this country. CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. I will give to the humane society, I will BURN my money but I will NOT (I repeat) WILL NOT support another refugee from Sri Lanka..I (and others) have all written letters 'FORBIDDING" they be allowed to stay here. LIKE it LUMP it. Tough bananas find a different country.
But feel free to phone me a REAL Canadian
@ 1-800-I-don't give a rat's ass.