Three of the migrants who came to Canada on
leaky, rusting boats are speaking publicly for the first time, after
they succeeded in gaining refugee status.
The three women were among almost 600 people who arrived on the
B.C. coast last summer on four creaky ships. Almost all of the
migrants were denied refugee status and are being sent back to
China.
Fifteen people have been declared refugees and can stay in
Canada.
In an interview with CBC News the
three women, sitting with an interpreter, asked that their faces be
shielded because they fear reprisals from the smugglers who brought
them here.
"I thought Canada should be a beautiful place. I am a Canadian. I
am very happy," said one woman.
When asked why they left China, all three spoke of the desperate
poverty of Fujian province.
"I heard Canada is a good country, democratic country. I thought
about a better life. In China, part of low class, and I wanted a
good life in the future. That's the way, alternative for me."
 One woman
talks to a CBC reporter through an interpreter
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"I also brought my children with me. I don't care about myself, I
care about my children. I want them to have a good life in the
future," said another.
Escaping poverty though, no matter how dire, is still not enough
to get refugee status in Canada. But the three women interviewed
were subjected to China's one child policy, which was a main reason
they're allowed to stay.
One woman told the refugee board how she was forced to have an
abortion. Eight months pregnant, she was given an injection and saw
the baby die. She was eventually sterilized against her will.
A refugee board member concluded: "I find the past persecution of
this claimant was so atrocious and appalling because of what was
done to her . . . it would be unreasonable to expect the claimant to
return to China."
The case is proof, says her lawyer, that every potential refugee
must have a fair hearing. "When these people come to our shores,
let's listen to their stories, and give them an opportunity to
convince us they can make a contribution," said Doug Cannon.
The refugees say they had no idea the smuggling ships were so
dangerous and no idea they would be detained in Canada for months.
But they say life in Fujian province is so harsh, they doubt there's
anything the Chinese or Canadian governments can do to dissuade
others from embarking on the same desperate journey.
