Please Keep My Mommy in Canada

To:  THE MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION CANADA

A PETITION TO THE MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION CANADA TO INTERVENE IN THE DEPORTATION FROM CANADA OF A REFUGEE CLAIMANT FROM ZIMBABWE WITH BRITISH CITIZENSHIP.


AND, TO INTERVENE IN THE SEPARATION OF TWO MINOR CHILDREN WITH CONVENTION REFUGEE STATUS AND ONE BABY WITH CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP FROM THEIR MOTHER BECAUSE OF CITIZENSHIP ISSUES.


IN ADDITION, TO REVIEW EXISTING LEGISLATION ON WHICH JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE MADE IN REFUGEE CLAIMS WHERE MEMBERS WITHIN A FAMILY UNIT HAVE DIFFERENT CITIZENSHIP AND THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF FORCED SEPARATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS.


ATTENTION: THE MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION CANADA (JUDY SGRO)
ATTENTION: HER EXCELLENCY, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ADRIENNE CLARKSON, GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA
ATTENTION: THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA (PAUL MARTIN)
ATTENTION: THE PREMIER OF ONTARIO (DALTON MCGUINTY)
ATTENTION: MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT OTTAWA SOUTH (DAVID MCGUINTY)
ATTENTION: MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT OTTAWA WEST (MARLENE CATTERAL)
ATTENTION: FORMER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT OTTAWA SOUTH (JOHN MANLEY)
ATTENTION: THE RIGHT HONOURABLE KOFI ANNAN, SECRETARY GENERAL UNITED NATIONS & HEAD OF STATES OF ALL SECULAR NATIONS



We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the plight of refugee families in countries where the United Nations has governed refugee laws. The laws do not seem to take into account factors such as different nationalities or citizenships within a family unit. Specifically highlighted here is the case of a refugee woman who arrived in Canada coming from Zimbabwe. Her two minor children have been granted Convention Refugee status and she has been denied the same. A third child born to this woman is in fact a Canadian Citizen.
We, the undersigned, are petitioning for Ministerial Intervention on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

We the undersigned are convinced that the family (a fundamental group within modern society) should be afforded necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibility within the community and we therefore petition the Minister of Citizenship & Immigration Canada to respect the family in question and not divide them.

We, the undersigned, recognize that children should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding and these children have these with their mother.

We, the undersigned, recognize that children in countries all over the world are living in exceptionally trying conditions and that these children need special consideration. We appeal on behalf of the family that special consideration is given to the emotional and mental well being of these children.

We, the undersigned, are in agreement with Article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, as follows:
“Article 2
1. States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members.”

We, the undersigned, are in agreement with Article 3 1, as it pertains to courts of law taking into consideration the best interests of the child. We feel that the decisions reached by the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court have not taken into consideration the best interests of the children concerned.
“Article 3
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.”

We, the undersigned, are in agreement with Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and we believe that the judicial decisions reached in this particular case are in direct opposition to this article.
“Article 7
1. The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and as far as possible, the right to now and be cared for by his or her parents.
2. States Parties shall ensure the implementation of these rights in accordance with their national law and obligations under the relevant international instruments in this field, in particular where the child would otherwise be stateless.

We, the undersigned, are in agreement with Article 9.1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and believe that deportation of the refugee woman in this case would be in direct violation of Article 9.1
“Article 9.
1. States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. Such determination may be necessary in a particular case such as one involving abuse or neglect of the child by the parents, “

We, the undersigned, believe that Article 13 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, has not been taken into consideration, as the children in this specific case have not been offered the opportunity to voice their wishes or concerns on the imminent deportation of their sole parent, their mother.
“Article 13
1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice.
2. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:
(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; or
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or morals.”

We, the undersigned, believe it is unfair and cruel to separate a mother from her children and vice versa. We believe that this case deserves humanitarian and compassionate relief and we beseech the Minister of Citizenship & Immigration Canada to look favorably on this situation.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Please Keep My Mommy in Canada Petition to THE MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION CANADA was created by supporters of the "Refuge Fund" and written by Hazel Terry (haziewat@rogers.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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