VANCOUVER (CP) - One of the Chinese migrants being detained since arriving illegally on a cargo ship last summer is being punished for speaking out about abuses in prison, a refugee group says.

Direct Action Against Refugee Exploitation said the woman, who they did not name, was locked in solitary confinement after she told a Vancouver television station last week about human rights abuses at the Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women, where some migrant women are being detained.

"The woman had spoken publicly. . . and shortly following that she was put into solitary confinement," said Nandita Sharma.

"The prison told her that the reason she was being put into solitary confinement was because they believed that she was going to commit suicide."

But Sheldon Green, the spokesman for B.C. Corrections, said the story is false.

"This woman was never in solitary confinement," he said.

Suicidal inmates are removed to a health care area, not to solitary, he said.

Sharma said the woman is adamant she is not suicidal.

"She believes that being put into confinement was punishment for speaking out about prison abuses," she said.

The woman, whose refugee claim has been rejected, planned to speak to reporters Monday following her detention review with the Immigration and Refugee Board.

"As soon as the hearing was over she had two guards on both sides of her and they just completely whisked her away," Sharma said.

She said she hasn't spoken to the woman since.

The woman was one of almost 600 Chinese migrants that arrived off the West Coast last summer aboard four decrepit cargo ships.

Almost all made refugee claims and have remained in detention since their arrival. Most claims have been rejected and 113 migrants have been sent back to China.

Lois Reimer, a spokeswoman for Citizenship and Immigration, said the department has no concerns about migrants being in the care of B.C. Corrections.

"There's been a number (of allegations) in the past that have been checked into and dismissed," Reimer said.

She said immigration officials did not know the woman planned a news conference and when they found out there were concerns about safety and security.

Officials were also concerned that allowing her to speak to the media would break a publication ban imposed by the Immigration and Refugee Board, Reimer said.

Lynn Gates, a regional director for the board, said public identification poses a problem.

"While they may not have been a refugee when they left China, they very may well become one here because they have put themselves in a position of criticizing their government publicly and putting their family in difficulty," Gates said.

There have been other allegations that migrants have been mistreated.

In particular, Sharma is concerned that migrants are being put in solitary confinement for the most minor of offences.

She said they have not been able to freely access their lawyers or advocates and three migrant women held in Prince George have attempted suicide.

Green said Sharma's group has made false allegations in the past.

All allegations have been reviewed by an independent investigator.

"Independent findings have consistently shown these allegations are not based on fact," Green said.

There are several people, including a United Nations representative in Vancouver, who have open access to migrants, he said.

"The legal counsel for the UN (High Commission for Refugees) can enter that facility at any time," Green said. "We have nothing to hide."

© The Canadian Press, 2000