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Loading ...« O Canada (2008) | Main | “It is more blessed to give than to receive” — a Yamaha for choir class »
Family Fleeing Abuse Needs Your Support
By irs_zhen | July 4, 2008
SINGLE MOTHER AND SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FIGHTS DEPORTATION TO MEXICO
A press conference focusing on Maria Isabel Garcia Rivas, a domestic abuse survivor, and her two children facing deportation, will be held at the Workers Action Centre to urge officials to allow them to seek refuge in Canada. Please support this family by showing your support at this press conference on Friday July 4 at 11am (720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 223). For more information contact Karen Dick at 416-531-0778 ext 225.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? Please sign the attached sample letter or petition asking the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada to postpone their removal and allow them to stay on Humanitarian Grounds
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE CASE OF MS. MARIA ISABEL GARCIA RIVAS
Ms Garcia Rivas is a single mother fleeing abuse from her ex-husband in Mexico. She has three children, who are also fleeing abuse, and is working with the Workers Action Centre and No One Is Illegal.
Ms Garcia Rivas suffered horrific physical, mental and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex husband both while with him in the United States and while in Mexico. She fled to Canada with her children, where she attempted to do a refugee claim. After being threatened and abused by Immigration Officers, she was allowed to do her claim. However, in November 2006 this claim was denied as the Refugee Board decided she could get police protection in Mexico from her ex-husband. Subsequently, a second risk assessment was denied on the same grounds (her Pre Removal Risk Assessment), this decision is under review by the courts.
Though the Refugee Board often decides women can obtain protection from the police in Mexico when they are abused, other authorities are not in agreement, including the Federal Court of Canada which has begun to question these decisions at the Board. In their 2007 report on Mexico, Human Rights Watch also raised questions, and said Mexican laws do not adequately protect women and girls against domestic violence. Some laws on violence against women run directly counter to international standards, including provisions of Mexican law that define sanctions for some sexual offenses with reference to the “chastity” of the victim and provisions penalizing domestic violence only when the victim has been battered repeatedly.
Ms. Garcia Rivas has been in Canada almost three years now with her children. One of the children suffers from psychological issues, and returned to Mexico to be with her grandparents. However, since that time, the child’s father has taken over her care and her condition has been deteriorated seriously because he has not allowed her to receive medical treatment.. Ms. Garcia Rivas is very worried about the safety of her child in Mexico and her deteriorating health condition and wants to ensure her daughter can return to be with her in Canada. Ms. Garcia Rivas’ two other children are flourishing in Canada. One has recently graduated as a top student from High School, and the youngest is doing very well at school. They see Canada as their home and are fearful of their father should they be returned to Mexico.
Ms Garcia Rivas has this to say about leaving Canada and returning to Mexico:
“If I go to Mexico, there’s no where to go, we can’t go back to Guadalajara because of my ex-husband. I cannot think about returning to Mexico. This is my last chance, please let me and my children stay here and continue to live our lives free from fear.”
HOW TO SUPPORT THIS FAMILY:
1. Please support this family by signing the attached sample letter or petition asking the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada to postpone their removal and allow them to stay on Humanitarian Grounds. Please send completed letters and petitions to:
Workers Action Centre
720 Spadina Ave., Suite 223
Toronto, ON M5S 2T9
2. Please also consider supporting this family by making a donation towards their legal costs. Cheques can be made payable to Workers’ Action Centre and sent to the above address. Please note on the bottom of the cheque that the funds are for the “Garcia Rivas” family. Please note that no tax receipts will be issued.
Your support can make the difference in this family’s lives!
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SAMPLE LETTER
[YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS]
[DATE]
The Honourable Diane Finley
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Parliament Hill
Room 707, Confederation Bldg House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
And to:
The Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Dear The Honourable Ms Finley and the Honourable
Mr. Day,
RE: GARCIA RIVAS, Maria Isabel and her family
I am writing in support of Ms Garcia Rivas and her children to ask you to use your discretion under section 25 (1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and allow this family to stay in Canada while their Humanitarian Application is considered. We also ask you to look favourably upon their Humanitarian
Application.
This family is fleeing an abusive ex-husband/father in Mexico. Though the Refugee Board has decided that they can be protected by the police there, human rights organizations including the U.S. Department of State and Human Rights Watch have expressed grave concerns about the police’s effectiveness regarding gender
related violence.
As well, the children see Canada as their home and have been performing extremely well at school.
It is extremely important that this family be able to stay safely in Canada. I would ask your assistance in making sure this happens!
Yours truly,
[your name]
PETITION AND SAMPLE LETTER ARE ALSO ATTACHED AS A WORD DOCUMENT
Please send completed letters and petitions to:
Workers Action Centre
720 Spadina Ave., Suite 223
Toronto, ON M5S 2T9
Topics: News |
July 6th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
We need everyones help!!!! Valeria is one of my best friends and if she leaves it will effect everyone!!!!PLEASE HELP EVERYONE!!!!!
July 7th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
let their friend stay! i couldn’t imagine that happening to me.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:22 am
let her stay all her friend gonna be sad and maybe….
please don’t take her away for all friends!!!! we need her!!!!
July 19th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
she goes to my school!! we need to help her!!
July 27th, 2008 at 11:15 am
The site harbourlight.org is cool resource, thanks, owner.
By.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:36 am
The harbourlight.org is excellent resource, good job, admin. And see this
By.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
[URL=][/URL]
June 8th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Please let her and her family stay more people need to sign this
my god
June 8th, 2009 at 6:32 am
if you are looking at this and you do nothing about it then you are guilty of not understanding the lack of support for victom’s of abuse
June 16th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Hi. I like the way you write. Will you post some more articles?
July 6th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
It’s a masterpiece. I have never thought people can have such ideas and thoughts. You are great.