Below is a communication from the Friends of Burma announcing the issuance of a Temporary Residency for Nay Myo Hein, preventing his return to the Burmese tyranny.
I want to commend the government and particularly Minister Kenney who chose to exercise the Ministerial Discretion with which he is entrusted on behalf of Canadians. This was a case that required discretion and I am grateful it was used.
While the Friends of Burma appropriately thank various people, the world should know that there were many making phone calls and writing to the Ministers who have no connection whatever to the Burmese community. They made those calls because they have a connection to the Canadian community.
This is a great Saturday!
Canada grants Former Child Soldier stay of deportation and residency permit
Canadian Friends of Burma
Ottawa, August 15, 2009
Next Tuesday’s deportation of a Burmese refugee and former child soldier Nay Myo Hein has been halted following the intervention of Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan who have agreed to let the 25 year old Saskatoon resident stay in Canada on humanitarian grounds.
Minister Van Loan has issued a stay of deportation and Minister Kenney has granted Nay Myo Hein a temporary resident permit which crucially paves the way for Nay Myo Hein’s permanent residency in Canada. CFOB especially thanks Minister Kenney for his vital role in Nay Myo Hein’s case and consistent support for the democratization process in Burma.
CFOB Executive Director Tin Maung Htoo calls “this compassionate gesture from Canada is a major sigh of relief for our supporters of the Burmese democracy movement.”As someone who at the age of 13 escaped from forced service in the Burmese military and spent the next eight years in hiding Nay Myo Hein would have faced grave danger if forcibly returned to Burma, in particular because since coming to Canada two years ago he has participated in demonstrations against the Burmese military and become an active member of the exiled Burma democracy movement.
Canadian Friends of Burma, which independently verified Nay Myo Hein life story, is extremely pleased that Minister Kenney has granted Nay Myo Hein a temporary residency permit.
CFOB wishes to thank all the people who came forward to assist Nay Myo Hein, especially, the hard work of Nay Myo Hein’s Saskatoon lawyer Chris Veeman who worked tirelessly to help his client after being contacted on very short notice.
CFOB would like to give special thanks to the Saskatoon Burmese community and all those who sent letters and made phone calls in support of Nay Myo Hein.
For media contact, CFOB board member Kevin McLeod at 613-746-4963 and to contact CFOB Executive Director Tin Maung Htoo please call 613-297-6835
The Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) is federally incorporated, national non-governmental organization working for democracy and human rights in Burma since 1991. Contact: Suite 206, 145 Spruce St., Ottawa, K1R 6P1; Tel: 613.237.8056; Email: c...@cfob.org; Web: www.cfob.org
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