Statement from Muhammed Sillah: Exposing Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Immigration Detention and Immigration Holding Centre (CIHC) #JusticeforSillah
Last edited by @opHarper on July 26, 2013 at 9:00 pm
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Muhammed has been reporting to both CBSA and the Toronto Bail Program (no criminal record), since October 2011 when he filed for protection. He has complied 100% with any appointments/requirements put on him on a weekly/monthly basis, which was to also attend a meeting with CBSA on May 29th, 2013 with his wife. In the meeting the officer explained a program to give Muhammed $2,000 to blend back into the Gambian society, and Muhammed refused because his life is not equivalent to any compensation from the Canadian government. The officer asked Muhammed and his wife to “wait a minute” while the officer “went to get the form for Muhammed to sign to pull out of the program”, when she returned, she asked Muhammed and his wife to meet her in room 7, where two CBSA officers closed the door behind them and asked Muhammed to face the wall while they frisked him, then to put his hands behind his back, and at that point arrested him. The reason given was because his status has “run out”.
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Muhammed is a freedom fighter!!“I would like every Canadian to look at what fairness is — I would like every Canadian to represent what their country really stands for, which is to protect and be in association with the rights and freedoms of every human being around the world. I would like every Canadian to take my case as an example and look into giving anyone who is in a situation like mine the chance to come to Canada to be helped.” ~ Muhammed Sillah
Statement from Muhammed Sillah:
This holding centre for immigrants, refugees and immigrant children which is situation on Rexdale is commonly known to the detainees as the “Indian Holding Centre” because the guards are mostly India, very rampant among the rest of the guards and are causing depression among detainees. This holding centre is managed by G4S security guards who are rampant and abusive in their service and I am among others who are frequently abused when searched but we are to adhere to these guards at all times or else. We are constantly threatened to be obedient to these guards and if we dare fail to adhere to them, we would be transferred to jail where criminals are kept. These guards are cocky in their jobs and do not listen to the demands of detainees at all.
They walk in and out of the rooms of detainees even when they change clothing or during prayer times where there is a need for respect of privacy. They never speak but yell at detainees anytime there is contact between us. They bang at doors and repeatedly yell at a time for anything like waking up time, breakfast time, lunch time, and dinner time. These guards are supervised limitedly or with no supervision from CBSA officials. They create for them rules that favour their mood. CBSA do have guidelines for these security personnel but their job is not supervised to ensure that the rights of the detainees are upheld within the premises at all times. It’s is well known to detainees that every security guard and supervisor have their own regulation which is causing mixed feelings, high blood pressure and confusion among detainees. Detainees expect to be treated with dignity and respect but should that be in any practice, there will never be more frustration of detainees who are already frustrated by the unlawful detention by CBSA who are as hungry as ever to remove immigrants without proper assessment in result to the reforms of Mr. Kenney. Some detainees are released before the usual 48 hour detention review upon arrest and having paid very high release bonds and performance bonds three times more than the release bond because there’s reasonable belief that their arrest and detention was unlawful. Detainees are typically handled as criminals and this include the transfer or immigrant and refugees places outside this center like hospitals where there is a violation of their rights where shackles are place on the feet of detainees. Detainees who require emergency medical attention are transferred with shackles on them hereby causing quite the criminal attention and impression on them from the public. There is a very useless medical practitioner at this facility and every detainee refers to them as Tylenol doctors. These Tylenol doctors do treat people but 90% of the time would recommend Tylenol only to all sick detainees even though there is medical insurance entitled to detainees they are sometimes advised to order their own medication: medication from families and friends outside of the facility. The refugee boards stands to protect the rights of privileges of detainees which the CBSA must also abide by but the refugee protection act is clearly abused by CBSA when detainees are re-arrest when there is a bond still in affect under their name without any violation to it and there is no removal order against them. Since there will be no job for the G4s security personnel if there is no arrest of immigration violators, the CBSA and refugee board seem to work uniquely to further lengthen the period of detention. I personally was informed by a judge on my 48 hour detention review that I will not be released because my detention was not lengthy enough. There is a need to keep detainees at this facility even if there is no reasonable reason to furthering their detention.
This also includes the unjustifiable rejection of bonds persons who are either suspected of not knowing enough about a detainee’s case which is not a ruling in the immigration and protection act. The act sates that a bondsperson must not be a convict, that bondsperson cannot place if there is a bond in default and that the bond they place must be entirely theirs. There is a need for counsel to represent detainees at detention reviews even though detainees are able to represent themselves. This holding is a safe haven for lawyers and consultants who are collecting funds from helpless immigrants and refugee seekers who are disappointed by misrepresentation and/or not showing up at detention reviews by counsel. There are hundreds and thousands of dollars collected by lawyers and consultants who demand huge funding for the review representation of their client with fake assurance of release from the facility. Immigration lawyers are magnets to this facility because it is comprised of desperate detainees who are keenly in need of their help to be saved from being removed from Canada and being protected from the dangers that await them in their countries. Life in this holding centre is not close to what life is expected in here. Detainees are pressurized by different factors and it is very unfortunate that no one sees or hears them out.
There is a great deal of attention that is needed to assist refugees and immigrants and it appears that the Toronto Refugee Affairs Council helps but they mostly help those that are more likely to win their case with little to no struggle. Should there be a complexity of any sort in a refugee case the counsel is most likely not representing them and they would advise to appear to be removed to seek other chances to re-enter Canada or send for a spousal sponsorship from outside Canada. There is really not help available to immigrants and refugees when they reach the Indian Holding Centre. The disrespect received from guards, the unlawful arrest by CBSA, the irresponsible medical attention, the negligence to release detainees in the refugee board detention reviews, plus the lawyers grabbing money and running all accumulate to the forever damage and depression of immigrants and refugees upon leaving Canada.
They are forcefully removed from Canada with an image of Canada and they are prepared to show others at home and it’s never an attractive image. The image portrayed by these vulnerable immigrants about Canada when removed is not attractive and is a refugee for outsiders to have bad blood for Canada.
Muhammed Sillah
About Muhammed Sillah
Muhammed came to Canada in 2006. The conditions of the Gambia severely worsened while Muhammed was in Canada and in October 2011, he filed an application for protection without being able to afford the tremendous legal fees and therefore the application failed on a small technicality.
Muhammed has an online group called “Gambian Green Party” (formerly “Concerned Citizens”) where he outlines his projected improvements to government and ideas for sustainable development for the country. He also explains quite clearly how the current government is failing Gambians. He has posted his discontent with the illegal, horrendous crimes of the Gambian government in a group called WA Banjul Open (WA= People of), he has also been very active in conversation and debate within the HelloGambia.com newscast, in opposition to the government. This newscast is owned by a former Gambian Ambassador who submitted an affidavit to the Federal Court just prior to Muhammed’s removal outlining who Muhammed is and the threat to his life if he returns to the Gambia.
Muhammed has been reporting to both CBSA and the Toronto Bail Program (no criminal record), since October 2011 when he filed for protection. He has complied 100% with any appointments/requirements put on him on a weekly/monthly basis, which was to also attend a meeting with CBSA on May 29th, 2013 with his wife. In the meeting the officer explained a program to give Muhammed $2,000 to blend back into the Gambian society, and Muhammed refused because his life is not equivalent to any compensation from the Canadian government. The officer asked Muhammed and his wife to “wait a minute” while the officer “went to get the form for Muhammed to sign to pull out of the program”, when she returned, she asked Muhammed and his wife to meet her in room 7, where two CBSA officers closed the door behind them and asked Muhammed to face the wall while they frisked him, then to put his hands behind his back, and at that point arrested him. The reason given was because his status has “run out”.
Therefore multiple protests were organized and an emergency stop motion was submitted to stop Muhammed’s removal. After an hour hearing with the Federal Court on his day of removal, the Federal Court knew that the “balance of convenience lies in the favour of Muhammed and that he has a genuine fear for his life and safety” so they stopped his deportation to re-file for protection, although he was already taken to the airport and waiting to be forced to board! He is still in detention and we are demanding his release to stop this continued oppression, to stop the power hungry officers and their racial slurs, to raise awareness on the treatment of detainees in Canada, and to shed light on what an injustice this has been for Muhammed and to make known what is happening in The Gambia so that one day, he can return to his beloved home soil with his wife.
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One refugee’s fight for justice: The case of Muhammed Sillah
By Riaz Sayani-Mulji | July 25, 2013Muhammed, a refugee from the Gambia, was arrested and detained on June 29th after having his request for asylum in Canada denied. He has since been detained at Immigration Holding Centre Rexdale, located in Etobicoke. An outspoken advocate of justice for the Gambian people, Muhammed has become an enemy of the repressive regime currently ruling Gambia under President Yahya Jammeh, and fears for his life if forced to return.
While in detention he has endured racist abuse, inadequate medical treatment for his heart murmur, and his wife Sarah has been barred from visiting him. Originally slated for deportation on June 11, 2013, the Federal Court granted Muhammed a stay, although he remains in detention, isolated from his family. Given the constraints placed unto him, Muhammed and I spoke over the phone from the Immigration Holding Centre.
Sarah has been active in the community coordinating the Justice for Muhammed Sillah campaign to save her husband’s life and raise awareness of the flaws in Canada’s immigration system.
The following are excerpts of interviews conducted with Muhammed and Sarah Sillah. These interviews were edited for length and clarity.
Continue reading: http://rabble.ca/news/2013/07/one-refugees-fight-justice-case-muhammed-sillah
Interviews:
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Muhammed Sillah’s Deportation – Interview with Essa Essa Bokarr Sey former Ambassador of Gambia Published on Jun 10, 2013 – Muhammed, a refugee form Gambia, was arrested and is being detained as of Wednesday, May 29th. He has a direction for removal at 6:00 pm on June 11th out of Toronto. He has no criminal record, he just wants to be safe. This cannot happen. Please help him.
Category: Nonprofits & Activism
License: Standard YouTube License
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Muhammed Sillah’s Deportation – Interview with Muhammed by Hello Gambia Radio Published on Jun 10, 2013 – Muhammed, a refugee form Gambia, was arrested and is being detained as of Wednesday, May 29th. He has a direction for removal at 6:00 pm on June 11th out of Toronto. He has no criminal record, he just wants to be safe. This cannot happen. Please help him.
Category: Nonprofits & Activism
License: Standard YouTube License
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Hello Gambia Interview By Essa Bokarr Sey, Guest Saratu Sillah, Wife of Muhammed Sillah Published on Jun 16, 2013 – Muhammed Sillah, a citizen of The Gambia was scheduled for removal on June 11th, 2013 after a rejected refugee claim in Canada. A good man, who has followed all rules and laws faces dire consequences…Canada steps in…
Category: People & Blogs
License: Standard YouTube License
Human Rights Issues in Gambia
Amnesty:
- Amnesty International Ruling On Canadian Refugee Law, July 19th: http://www.amnesty.ca/blog/canadian-test-for-exclusion-brought-into-line-with-international-law
- Amnesty International Gambian Internet Bill, July 5th: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/gambia-internet-bill-2013-07-05
- Amnesty International Gambian Human Rights Concern, May 2013: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR27/003/2013/en/b0c9da52-5a00-41fc-8ca5-7171f0422e6e/afr270032013en.html
Articles/News:
- BBC Africa, execution halt under pressure: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19610206
- American Street News, former prisoner publishes memoir: http://americanstreetnews.com/news/gambia-ex-political-prisoner-publishes-memoir
- The Guardian, human rights in Gambia: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/16/gambian-tourist-paradise-misery-human-rights
- IRIN Africa, Stepping Up Pressure on Human Rights, Sept 2012: http://www.irinnews.org/report/96354/gambia-stepping-up-pressure-on-human-rights
- http://dailynews.gm/africa/gambia/article/harsh-prison-conditions-exposed
- NY Times, Jesse Jackson Gambia: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/22/world/africa/in-gambia-jesse-jackson-helps-free-2-americans.html?_r=0
Rev. Jesse Jackson helps free prisoners in Gambia Published on Sep 29, 2012 – Human rights activist and Nobel Prize nominee Rev. Jesse Jackson has recently focused his efforts on brokering an agreement that freed two American citizens being held in Gambia for treason. Dozens of detained prisoners were slated for execution, but Rev. Jackson pleaded with authorities oversea to help secure the freedom of the inmates, including two persons with US citizens. Rev. Jackson, founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, discusses his work with RT’s Meghan Lopez and offers his thoughts on the 2012 presidential race.
Category: News & Politics
License: Standard YouTube License
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf5zVhg4l3Y- NY Times, Witch Hunt: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/world/africa/21gambia.html?pagewanted=all
- CBC, executions: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/09/15/gambia-executions.html
Human Rights Reports:
- UN Report, Human Rights, Gambia 2004: http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/%28Symbol%29/CCPR.CO.75.GMB.En?Opendocument
- US Department Human Rights Report 2012, The Gambia: http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2012/af/204123.htm
- FIDH, climate of fear August 2011:http://www.fidh.org/Climate-of-fear-amongst-the
Gambian Human Rights Groups:
- CHRG, Campaign for Human Rights Gambia: http://www.gambiacampaign.org/
- DUGA, Democratic Union of Gambian Activists: http://www.gambiacampaign.org/
Gambian Protests via YouTube:
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THE GAMBIA DAY OF OUTRAGE… Gambians Protest in ATLANTA AGAINST YAHYA JAMMEH Published on Sep 7, 2012 Gambia National Day of Outrage ATLANTA GA Short Video
Category: People & Blogs
License: Standard YouTube License
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Gambians protest at the Gambian embassy in D.C Published on Sep 4, 2012 – This video was uploaded from an Android phone.
Category: Entertainment
License: Standard YouTube License
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Gambians in London protest against the recent executions Published on Sep 4, 2012 Gambians Protest in London over the continued Human Rights abuses in The Gambia and recent executions of 9 prisoners. Petitions were handed over to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, condolences were also paid to the Senegalese High Commission in a show of brotherly love, finally heavy pressure was wielded towards the Gambian High Commission with the result of the staff calling the police despite the non-violent nature of the demonstration.
Category: News & Politics
License: Standard YouTube License
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Gambian High Commission “Day of Rage” – 4th August 2012, Notting Hill Published on Sep 4, 2012 – At the end of my road, a large group of Gambian locals are protesting the execution of 9 death row prisoners.
Category: News & Politics
License: Standard YouTube License
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moA1tp0bHno
Gambian president Yahya Jammeh via YouTube
Gambian president Yahya Jammeh claims to cure aids, views about power, address to ministers:
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Gambians HIV infected cured by Yahya Jammeh 2 Uploaded on Jul 16, 2010 – Gambian president discharged CURED HIV patients
Category: Education
License: Standard YouTube License
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4HOajJplw4 -
The Bloodthirsty Psychopath Ruler Published on Aug 26, 2012 – Gambians in the claws of a Bloodthirsty Psychopath Ruler
Category: Education
License: Standard YouTube License -
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF PRESIDENT JAMMEH’S NEW CABINET – PART 2 Uploaded on Feb 17, 2012 – No description available.
Category: News & Politics
License: Standard YouTube License
Journalism in Gambia:
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The Dangerous Business of Journalism in The Gambia Published on Jan 26, 2013 – No description available.
Category: People & Blogs
License: Standard YouTube License
Message from #JusticeforSillah
“What you’re doing to get this information out, is much more than you think. These Gambian people are ruled by such fear. People see people arrested, tortured, detained, murdered. Gambians have been conditioned to be ruled by fear. Canadians need to be aware. Excellent job.”
As it is our greatest pleasure to seek truth, justice and reconciliation for “We the People of Everywhere”, it is an even greater pleasure to share the above note that was attached, with some of the additional information delivered on behalf of Justice for Muhammed Sillah, aka: Canadians Against the Gambian Regime as well as our reply below..
On behalf of the Canadians Against the Harper Regime [CAHR] Collective Research Collaboration we would like to humbly say, thank you for allowing us to know of a rather complex and widespread issue that we could help address. 🙂
What you’re doing to get this information out, is much more than you think. These Gambian people are ruled by such fear. People see people arrested, tortured, detained, murdered. Gambians have been conditioned to be ruled by fear. Canadians need to be aware. Excellent job.
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