New Zealand Action To Support Abdelkader (Kader) Belaouni
18 JANUARY 2008
A group of New Zealanders have put their names to a letter of concern to the Canadian High Commissioner in Wellington
calling for the Canadian Government to grant permanent residence to Abdelkader (Kader) Belaouni. This activity was part
of an international day of action in support of Kader.
Kader has been taking refuge in St-Gabriel's church, Montreal, for over two years after arriving in Canada in March 2003
after fleeing the civil war in Algeria and then the post 9/11 anti-Arab backlash in the US. The Canadian Government has
refused residency to Kader and is now trying to deport him.
The letter, signed by National Distribution Union President, Robert Reid was supported by Green M.P. Keith Locke,
Christian World Service and 22 other concerned NZ citizens. It was delivered to the Canadian High Commission on Friday
18 January 2008 by Robert Reid and union colleague Huia Welton (see attached photo).
Neither the High Commissioner or First Secretary was available to receive the letter but have agreed to meet with NZ
supporters of Kader at the earliest opportunity.
More information is available at: http://www.soutienpourkader.net/
The letter reads:
18 January 2008
H.E. Dr Penny Reedie
High Commissioner
Canadian High Commission
Level 11, 125 The Terrace
PO Box 8047
WELLINGTON
Dear Dr Reedie
We are writing to ask you to urge your Government to grant permanent residency to Abdelkader (Kader) Belaouni on
humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
We have read the enclosed backgrounder regarding Kader and are appalled at the treatment that he has received to date.
Although Kader's situation is different to that of Ahmed Zaoui in New Zealand, both cases highlight the way that
innocent individuals have been trapped in international power plays following the declaration of the "war on terror".
The case of Ahmed Zaoui in New Zealand showed that security and risk assessments can be quite wrong or out of date and
at complete odds to the obvious humanitarian solution. It seems Kader's case shows that the same situation exists in
Canada.
We understand that Abdelkader (Kader) Belaouni has:
· been in Canada since March 2003 following his fleeing from the civil war in Algeria to the US and then from the racist
backlash in the US post the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001
· been under a deportation order in Canada since 5 January 2006
· been in sanctuary, unable to leave the confines of St-Gabriel's church, Montreal, for over two years
a.. massive community and civil society support to enable him to stay in Canada. Not only have hundreds of individuals
spoken out in support of Kader, as well as members of Parliament from all political parties, but representatives of
approximately 250 civil society organisations have endorsed his demands. Some of the supporting organisations are
Amnesty International, Canadian Arab Federation, Confédération des organismes de personnes handicapées du Québec
(COPHAN), La ligue de droits et libertés, Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et
immigrantes and the United Church of Canada · put down roots in Montreal and considers this his home. Kader has close
relationships with friends and neighbours in his neighbourhood of Pointe-St-Charles as well as a network throughout the
city which has shown itself more than willing and able to assure he receives support when he needs it. Kader has
successfully integrated and has made a meaningful contribution to society through his volunteer work. He hosts a monthly
radio show, Radio Sanctuary: The hour of power, which gives voice to many members of his neighbourhood
· a fear of returning to Algeria. Kader faces total uncertainty if deported. He would first be sent to the U.S., where
he faces a high probability of being detained until his deportation order is enforced and he is sent back to Algeria, a
country he fled more than ten years ago, which is far from stable and peaceful
· been subjected to repeated discriminatory treatment in Canada because the Government has failed to take his blindness
into account in his applications to remain in Canada. His disability would make it even more difficult for him to adjust
to life in Algeria after over 10 years away. It also exponentially increases the level of uncertainty and insecurity he
faces if deported. Since the level of formal support for blind people in Algeria does not compare to that available in
Montreal, Kader's autonomy and dignity would suffer.
Thank you for receiving our letter today.
We look forward to hearing back from you as to what steps the Canadian Government has taken to resolve the situation of
Abdelkader Belaouni by the granting of permanent residence status.
Yours faithfully
(signed)
Robert Reid, President, National Distribution Union
Supported by:
Keith Locke, Green Party Member of Parliament
Christian World Service
Ray Goldstein, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Victoria University of Wellington
Rev Dr James Stuart, Wainoni Methodist Church, Christchurch
Rev Don Borrie, Titahi Bay, Porirua City
Gillian Southey, CWS, Christchurch
Huia Welton, Union Organiser, Wellington
Graham Elliott, Railway Worker, Wellington
Sam Huggard, Union Communications Officer, Wellington
Andrew Campbell, Union Campaigns Director, Wellington
Catherine Bindon, Wellington
Felice Marshall, Wellington
Duncan Allan, Organiser, Unite Union, Wellington
Jocelyn Brooks, Wellington
Hannah Scott, Executive Assistant, Green Party, Wellington
Dave Kent, Graphic Designer, Wellington
Tessa Castree, Social Worker, Wellington
Bill Rosenberg, Christchurch
Maxine Gay, Retail Secretary, National Distribution Union, Wellington
Prue Hyman, Paekakariki
Fleur Fitzsimons, Legal Officer, Wellington
Paul Maunder, Cultural Worker, Blackball, West Coast
Caroline Hatt, Midwife, Blackball, West Coast
Robert Reid President National Distribution Union P.O. Box 6040 2nd Floor, 220 Willis Street Wellington
ENDS