After an awesome 43rd birthday, which came swaddled in even more awesome presents, I promised myself I’d not accept any more presents this holiday season. I resent being greedy. Well, what do you know? I gave myself another big one. Rather, it came from the same place as the blogging activist demon in me. I’d my first full opinion piece published by the Ottawa Citizen. The piece is on the Harper government recently announced decision to lift the 10-year temporary suspension of removals for Zimbabwean nationals. The decision means 300 individuals now face deportation to Zimbabwe. The decision is as unusual as it is cruel. Once again, we witness the governments disdain for evidence-based policy and decision-making. Justifying the decision to carry out the mass deportations, the government stated the “fact” that the “conditions” in Zimbabwe “have improved” and that “there is no longer a generalized risk to the entire civilian population. Immigration Minister Chris Alexander even asserted that the uncertainty that plagued Zimbabwe for the last 15 years has ended. Citing intimidation and violence, the latest updated from the International Crisis Group, released in September, described the situation in Zimbabwe as “more complex” and “ever more precarious.” The local media has been reporting on deaths threats and other serious forms of harassment targeting government opponents. That includes multiple deaths threats issued against my very own mother. Canada has a moral duty to protect Zimbabweans who are already in Canada. The government must restore the suspension and put the Zimbabweans on the path to citizenship.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 21:21:24 +0000
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