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

 

Media Advisory

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)