• Summary
• Sanctuary Past & Present
  1. History
  2. Experience at First Unitarian Congregation
  3. Shree Kumar Rai . . 10 Years of Struggle
  4. Sanctuary Questions
• Press Release
• Statement by Shree
• Interfaith Refugee Network in Ottawa
• Second National Rally on Refugee Rights and Sanctuary
  • Press Release
  • Audio Highlights
  • Rally Program
  • Statements
  • Addresses
• Backgrounder
  • Risk of Torture
  • Evidence from Nepal
  • Amnesty: Grave Concern
  • First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
  • Mr. Rai's Appeals
• Refugee Sandwich
• How can I help?
• Press Coverage
  • Metro News - Mar 23/07
  • Ottawa Citizen - Mar 23/07
  • Ottawa Sun - Mar 23/07
  • CBC News - Mar 22/07
  • Ottawa Citizen - Mar 22/07
  • Echo Weekly - Jan 1/08
• Archive
  • Samsu Mia
  • The Refugee Appeal - Is No One Listening?
• UU Ottawa Home Page

National rally in support of Sanctuary movement

at First Unitarian Congregation, Ottawa

A national rally, in support of the long-held tradition of churches providing sanctuary to refugees in need, will take place at First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave. on October 21st at 7 PM. An impressive array of speakers and musicians will lend their support to this worthwhile cause including Monia Mezigh, Don Boudria, Ed Broadbent, Canadian Council for Refugees, the 'Raging Grannies', the social justice association of faith communities KAIROS, folk singers Tony Turner and Pat Mayberry, the Unitarian Choir, and clergy representing a variety of faith groups.

The Faith groups are united in their belief that, no matter what Immigration Minister Judy Sgro's decision will be regarding the people who are now in Sanctuary, the principle of Sanctuary must be respected and maintained. Various churches, who have undergone the agonizing decision to give Sanctuary, also believe that if flaws within Canada's Refugee determination system were corrected. Sanctuary would not be as great an issue.

The churches are not advocating that everyone who applies be admitted to Canada. However, they believe that every applicant should be given a fair chance. This is not happening at present. Politically-appointed immigration judges often know very little concerning the cultures of the countries about which they are making life and death decisions. Some judges systematically refuse every application put before them, regardless of the individual circumstances. And, although an Appeal system was passed by Parliament, it has never been implemented.

Half a dozen churches in Canada have people staying in Sanctuary to avoid being deported to their own countries where they face possible torture and death. A local example is Mr. Samsu Mia who has been in Sanctuary at First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa since July 3, 2003 in an effort to save him from being deported to Bangladesh. Amnesty International is supporting his case and attests that he would be in grave danger if he returns there. Retired Unitarian Minister Fred Cappuccino, an Order of Canada recipient who walked with Martin Luther King in Selma, Alabama, has been living in voluntary Sanctuary since June 22, 2004, to demonstrate his support of Samsu Mia's case. The church has undertaken this responsibility in hopes that Mr. Mia will be allowed to stay in Canada and that immediate steps will be taken to bring his wife and four children to Canada.

In granting landed immigrant status to Mr. Mia, our government would have an opportunity to reinforce cherished Canadian values of justice and compassion. The national rally on October 21st will celebrate these values and remind decision-makers that Canadians are proud of the tradition of Sanctuary.

Contacts:

Joan Auden, Chair, Sanctuary Committee 730-1716

Joan Hill, President, Board of directors, First Unitarian Congregation 725-1512

Rev. Fred Cappuccino, (inside the church) 746-9513 Cell: (613) 551-8199