Unfair Policy Fails Refugees and Canadians: Parliament Hill press conference and demonstration on Bill C-31

Amnesty International

Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers

Canadian Civil Liberties Association

Canadian Council for Refugees

Media Advisory

For immediate release

22 March 2012

 Unfair Policy Fails Refugees and Canadians: Parliament Hill press conference and demonstration on Bill C-31

DATE:  Monday 26 March 2012

TIME: 10:30 am

PLACE: Charles Lynch Press Room, Room S-130, Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Media are invited to hear arguments on why Bill C-31 should be withdrawn or defeated at second reading.  Human rights and refugee groups are calling for a fair, independent and affordable refugee system. They will speak to their serious concerns about this bill, which is unconstitutional, undermines Canada’s humanitarian traditions, and violates Canada’s international obligations. Bill C-31 is bad policy and creates a manifestly unfair system that will fail to protect refugees in Canada. 

A concurrent jail cell protest will also be held on Parliament Hill from 9 am – 1:30 pm (corner of Wellington and Metcalfe) to stand with the refugees who would be punished under Bill C-31, and to strongly oppose the passage of this bill.

Speakers:

Alex Neve, Amnesty International Canada

Peter Showler and Lorne Waldman, Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers

Nathalie Des Rosiers, Canadian Civil Liberties Association

Heather Neufeld, Canadian Council for Refugees

 

Contacts:

Beth Berton-Hunter, Amnesty International Canada: 416-363-9933 ext. 332, 416-904-7158 (cell)

Penelope Chester, Canadian Civil Liberties Association: 416-363-0321 ext. 225, 647-822-8764 (cell), email media@ccla.org

Mitchell Goldberg, Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers: 514-808-0843

Colleen French, Canadian Council for Refugees: 514-277-7223 ext. 1, 514-476-3971 (cell), email cfrench@ccrweb.ca