Issued by Central Executive Committee
Communist Party of Canada
Jan. 11, 2008

The Communist Party of Canada, which has a long and proud history of opposition to this country's racist and anti‑democratic immigration and refugee policies, gives full support to the struggle to allow Laibar Singh to remain in Canada. Mr. Singh is severely disabled and paralyzed; he should be given ministerial discretion to stay on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, as has been done with others in similar situations in the past. We also note that there is strong community support to urge the federal government to take this step, despite attempts to whip up an anti‑immigrant backlash demanding immediate deportation. Finally, we condemn the demand to remove the historic right of sanctuary for places of worship, a right which has many times been used to help victims of persecution build new lives in this country. The struggle to defend Laibar Singh is an important part of the wider struggle for the rights of all immigrants and refugees to live in dignity and as equals in Canadian society.