Immigration detainees re-start hunger fast; hundreds rally outside Lindsay jail

December 12, 2013

Media Briefings at Christie Pits, Bloor St, Toronto at 11:00am and at Lindsay prison at 1:00pm, Dec 14th.

Lindsay, ON – Immigration detainees at the Centre East Correctional Centre, some of whom who have been indefinitely held for as long as seven years are calling for their release and an end to indefinite detention and maximum security incarceration by staging a 72 hour hunger fast. Family members, supporters and friends will by rallying outside of the jail in support. Buses and cars are departing from Toronto, Guelph, Kitchener, Hamilton, Peterborough and other parts of Ontario.

WHAT: Immigration detainees on hunger fast, and rally outside WHEN: 1:00pm, Saturday, December 14th, 2013. Media Briefing also at 11am in Toronto. WHERE: Central East Correctional Centre, Lindsay (1pm) and Christie Pits Park, Toronto (11am) VISUALS: Toronto, over 100 family members and supporters will board buses carrying signs and banners, statements to be made by family members. Lindsay, at least 200 supporters and family members, playing music and holding up signs.

Opposition against indefinite immigration detention is growing. On Wednesday, over 70 leading labour, civil society, grassroots groups and individuals joined with migrant detainees in Lindsay, ON, and their families calling for an end to indefinite detention, maximum security incarceration of migrants and an overhaul of the adjudication process. Migrants in Lindsay have been on strike since September 17th. They have gone on hunger strike (two of them for over 60 days), refused to attend their detention hearings or enter their cells; and participated in other political actions. Striking migrants have faced reprisals with many deported, locked up in segregation, moved to other prisons and denied access to legal counsel.

Full list of endorsers and demands:
http://endimmigrationdetention.com/endorsers/.

*Demands*

Detained migrants, their families and supporters have formed the Campaign to End Indefinite Detention and are making four simple, pragmatic demands:

1 – Freedom for the wrongly jailed: Release all migrant detainees who have been held for longer than 90 days.

2 – End arbitrary and indefinite detention: Implement a 90-day “presumptive period”. If removal cannot happen within 90 days, immigration detainees must be released. Presumptive periods are recommended by the United Nations, and are the law in the United States and the European Union.

3 – No maximum security holds: Immigration detainees should not be held in maximum security provincial jails; must have access to basic services and be close to family members.

4 – Overhaul the adjudication process: Give migrants fair and full access to legal aid, bail programs and pro bono representation.


For more information contact:
Karin Baqi
End Immigration Detention Network
Phone: 647-402-4048
Website: www.endimmigrationdetention.com

Tings Chak
Phone: 416-276-2174