Organizations Call for Bill C-49, the Government's Anti-Smuggling Bill, to be Defeated at Second Reading

Amnesty International

Canadian Council for Refugees

Canadian Tamil Congress

For immediate release

12 November 2010

 

Human Rights Violations and Bad Public Policy: Organizations Call for Bill C-49, the Government's Anti-Smuggling Bill, to be Defeated at Second Reading

 

DATE: Tuesday 16 November 2010

 

TIME: 11:30 am

 

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

 

Media are invited to hear arguments on why Bill C-49 (the “anti-smuggling bill”) should be defeated at second reading. Academic, community, human rights and refugee groups will speak to their serious concerns about this bill, which violates international law and the Canadian Charter. The bill would cause immense human suffering and is bad policy.

 

Speakers:

 

Alex Neve, Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada

Heather Neufeld, Executive member, Canadian Council for Refugees

Gary Anandasangaree, Canadian Tamil Congress

Peter Showler, Refugee Forum, University of Ottawa, former Chairperson, Immigration and Refugee Board

 

Contacts:

 

Colleen French, Canadian Council for Refugees: 514-277-7223 ext. 1, 514-476-3971 (cell), email cfrench@ccrweb.ca
Beth Berton-Hunter, Amnesty International Canada: 416-363-9933 ext. 332, 416-904-7158 (cell)
David Poopalapillai, Canadian Tamil Congress: 416-240-0078 or 905-781-7134 (cell)