10 April 2006

Act Now to Stop the Deportation from Canada of Issam Al Yamani!

Issam Al-Yamani is a friend, a stateless Palestinian refugee, long time Palestinian and human rights activist and a respected member of the Arab community in Canada. He now needs your help.

Canadian authorities recently issued a deportation order on Issam, asking him to leave Canada on Thursday, 20 April 2006. The deportation of Issam Al-Yamani is the most recent example of attempts to silence and deport Palestinian refugees in Canada. Issam has lived peacefully in Canada for over 20 years. All those who know him attest to his tireless efforts on behalf of the Palestinian and Arab community in Mississauga and Toronto. Issam graduated from York University and he has two Canadian born children currently attending high school and university.

Issam was issued an immigrant visa by Canadian officials in Amman, Jordan on March 21, 1984. He was subsequently granted permanent resident status on arrival in Canada on April 27, 1985. On May 17, 1988, Issam Al Yamani applied for Canadian citizenship. Since that time, Canadian authorities have been attempting to deport Issam due to his previous political affiliations with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

For the last 21 years, Issam and his family have called Canada their home. Yet, the Canadian government wants him to leave his home simply because of his affiliation with the Popular Front. You can act today to stop this from happening. No matter where you live, write to the Canadian government and tell them to put a stop to this unfair and immoral action.

Issam's father was one of the founding members of the PFLP. He grew up in a community committed to the self determination for Palestinians. Because of his father, Issam came to know many persons in the Palestinian leadership. Issam had previously been a member of the political wing of the PFLP but severed all ties in 1991. He has never engaged in or been in any way involved with acts of violence.

We call on all supporters of Palestinian and refugee rights to act urgently to prevent the deportation of Issam Al-Yamani.

Please contact the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Citizenship and the Prime Minister of Canada, and ask them to halt his deportation and use their discretionary power to grant Issam Al-Yamani permanent status in Canada.

MINISTERS' CONTACT INFORMATION

Monte Solberg,
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-4516
Fax: (613) 992-6181
E-Mail: Solberg.M@parl.gc.ca

Stockwell Day,
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: 613.995.1702
Fax: 613.995.1154
Email: day.s@parl.gc.ca

In BC: Suite 202, 301 Main Street
Penticton, BC V2A 5B7
Phone: 250.770.4480
Fax: 250.770.4484
Email: days1@parl.gc.ca

Stephen Harper,
Prime Minister of Canada,
Office of the Prime Minister,
80 Wellington Street,
Ottawa, K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
Email: pm@pm.gc.ca




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