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An Open Letter to the Honouroble David Emerson
Honouroble David Emerson,
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Dear Honouroble Emerson,
As an Eritrean and a person with more than keen interest in Eritro/Canadian
friendship, I am very angry on why the Canadian Foreign Ministry prevented
the Foreign Minister of Eritrea from visiting Canada on the bases that
he
was a member of the Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front. Sir, this
is
outlandishly slanderous not only to my country of origin, but to the
entire
Eritrean people who have fought through thick and thin to achieve their
country's independence, which was taken away from them by the US ally,
Ethiopia. Sir, if the Canadian government is going to apply such ridiculous
classification to illegally abuse a high ranking official of a country
with
whom she has a full diplomatic relationship, think what would happen
to the
rest of us who were proudly members of that organization whose sole
agenda
was to liberate Eritrea. If the Canadian authorities were sincere, they
would have kept Ethiopian officials from visiting Canada who also usurp
state power by "Overthrowing a recognized government"! But
Canada never did
similar action against Ethiopian government officials! Not that childish
act would make their action any less painful, but that it shows how
biased
and unprincipled the cognizant Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
personnel are! By acting in such an irresponsible behaviour, Canada
has
done some damage not only to the principles it is obligated to honour
by
the Geneva protocol on the handling of diplomats of a friendly country,
but
a complete disservice to the many Eritreans who have made Canada their
adopted home.
Sir,
I am asking you to use your good office to apologize to the government
and
people of Eritrea for the Ministry's unacceptable behaviour and reverse
its
very undiplomatic act; and allow the Honourable Osman Salih Mohammed,
the
Eritrean Foreign Minister, or any other Eritrean government official
to
visit Canada as your government personnel are allowed.
Best regards,
Berhane Alazar
Dear Honorable Mr.
David Emerson:
First, I wish to
express my great admiration and respect to the people and government
of Canada. To my recollection, your country has been one of the very
few in the western world who continues to stand for peace and justice
around the world. The reason of this letter is, however, to protest
Canadian government’s decision to refuse a visa to Eritrea’s Foreign
Minister due to, according to the letter of Immigration Counselor, Tracey
Vansickle, his involvement with EPLF during the struggle for liberation.
The Honorable David Emerson; as the whole world would attest, EPLF (Eritrean
People’s Liberation Front) was a legitimate liberation movement which
fought against Ethiopian colonialism and oppression during the period
1974-1991. Several western media including CBC and BBC are on record
for admiring EPLF way of organizing its people in the long and protracted
war for liberation. These same western media would also testify that
as a legitimate organization representing the people of Eritrea, EPLF
had never engaged in any terrorist activities, as your Immigration Counselor
suggested or implied in her letter of rejection dated 9/10/2008. As
a native Eritrean residing in the USA and one with a deep knowledge
of Eritrea’s and/or EPLF’s history I am at a loss as to what prompted
the government of Canada to take such a reckless action against a young
nation which has no any qualm towards the people or government of Canada.
It’s not my intention to interfere in Canada’s immigration policy. However,
It’s only fair one notes what I consider are some inconsistencies and/or
contradictions in the way Canada is engaging with Eritrea on such matter.
Your Honor, as you may know most of the ministers within the government
of Eritrea were members of the EPLF. Canada was one of the first countries
which recognized Eritrea’s independence and established diplomatic relationship
shortly after. Isn’t it ironic then that a country, in this case Canada,
would have no problem engaging with Eritrea diplomatically but would
reject a visa to one of its members? Lastly, I call upon your government
to reconsider such reckless and irresponsible decision on the part of
the Immigration Counselor and work to create an environment whereby
both countries foster a healthy diplomatic relationship for the benefit
of all the peoples.
Sincerely,
Dr. Amanuel Tseggai
Atlanta, Georgia
---------Letter from Canadian Counsellor in Nairobi-(Ref)----------
Government of Canada
High Commission of Canada
Immigration Section
P. O. Box 1013
Limuru Road, Gigiri
00621 Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: (254 20) 366 3000
Facsimile: (254 20) 366 3914
Internet: www.nairobi.gc.ca
The Honourable Osman Saleh Mohammed
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea
Asmara
Eritrea
Dear Minister,
After careful and thorough consideration of all aspects of your application
and the supporting information provided, I have determined that you
do not
meet the requirements for a temporary resident visa for Canada.
Specifically, there are reasonable grounds to believe that you are a
member
of the inadmissible class of persons described in subsection 34(1)(f)
of
the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) which states that
"a
permanent resident or foreign national is inadmissible on security grounds
for
(a) engaging in an act of espionage or an act of subversion against
a
democratic government, institution or process as they are understood
in
Canada (b) engaging in or instigating the subversion by force of any
government (c) engaging in terrorism (d) being a danger to the security
of Canada (e) engaging in acts of violence that would or might endanger
the lives or safety of persons in Canada (f) being a member of an
organization that there are reasonable grounds to believe engages, has
engaged or will engage in acts referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or
(c)."
Specifically, you were a member of the Eritrean People's Liberation
Front
between 1979 and 1991. The EPLF was a group that engaged in the subversion
of a government by force. Canadian Federal Court jurisprudence confirms
that membership in a group that attempts to subvert even a despotic
government is sufficient to render inadmissibility. As such, you are
inadmissible to Canada pursuant to section A34(1)(f) of the Act. I am
therefore refusing your application.
I sincerely regret that this decision will be a disappointment to you.
Yours sincerely,
Tracey Vansickle
Counsellor (Immigration)
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