SOURCE: Canadian Labour
Congress
—For immediate release (Vancouver:
12-Nov-99)—
In 1989, they were 'freedom seekers.' In
‘99, they're called 'criminals.' Refugees deserve fair
treatment. |
Today CLC President Ken Georgetti joined BC Federation of Labour
President Jim Sinclair speaking in support of the recent Chinese
refugees jailed and on hunger strike in Burnaby, Prince George, and
Vancouver. Georgetti commended Direct-action Against Refugee
Exploitation (DARE) for drawing the nation's attention to this
situation.
"Until DARE organized protests in the last two
weeks, these 491 refugees were voiceless and faceless. Racism and
xenophobia are, after all, the easiest emotions for gutless
politicians and media personalities to tap — they have been doing
just that for two centuries," said Georgetti.
"But all
Canadians whose fathers, mothers or ancestors came to this country
in wretched conditions must ask themselves...What crime have these
Chinese men and women and their children committed? 10 years ago we
would have welcomed them as ‘freedom seeking' refugees. Yet, the
Chinese government is no more democratic now than it was then.
"Everyone can recall the massacre at Tiananmen Square. Today
the government of China continues to crack down on freedom, from
religious to labour to personal — including forced abortions.
"It is true that today China welcomes multinational
corporations — but is this the reason we have had a change of heart
toward refugees from this dictatorship? Since when does real freedom
and the recognition of human rights take a back seat to an open door
to big business?
"Canadian corporations do business in Cuba.
Arguably, human rights are better recognized there than in China.
Yet, Cuban baseball players are welcomed as refugees. Is the problem
with the Chinese refugees — that they don't play baseball?
"And why are these men and women incarcerated and separated
from their children? Some convicted criminals in Canada get ankle
bracelets and Karla Homolka is enjoying time in a minimum security
facility. But these people who braved Chinese internal security, the
high seas, and the snake head capitalists, are not entitled to be
with their children?
"Like others who have come to these
shores, these refugees are entitled to a hearing and a check into
their backgrounds before they are treated like criminals. This is a
shameful chapter in our country's history.
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