Medi wrote on January 27th, 2012
Dear Mr. Jason Kenney
Minister of Citizenship
Everyday your office is deporting few people that our laws consider them illegal and unwanted
on our land.
I would like to remind you that one day the land that we are considering is ours, belonged to others. You know better what we did to them.
This time is Kavoos Soofi’s turn. It happens that he is my close friend. It is difficult for me to feel in my heart that I have more rights than anyone else to live on this land where the rights and freedom prevail over all. My mind understands that the law has the last word. But still I can not admit and
accept to behave in a no human way in our country toward anyone either legal or illegal. This is what your administration did to Kavoos and put me in the situation to write this letter to you.
Your time is valuable and the case is long. I would appreciate if you could take a few minutes to visit and check what is happening and the way that is happening to Kavoos.
Kavoos has been living in Canada for eight years. He has a valid worker permit until 2014. He is well established and very active in the community. What else are we looking for and what are we expecting from people to consider them as useful for our country.
Kavoos may be deported as scheduled but there will be lots of broken heart behind.
Is it going to be a dream or too much expectation waiting for a response coming from our dear minister?
Sincerely,
Medi Shams
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Ioana wrote on January 27th, 2012
To: "jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca" <jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca>
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 2:39 PM
Subject:Please, Urgent Request: Stop Kavoos Deportation
Dear Mr. Jason Kenney,
My family of 3 had immigrated to Canada from Romania, about 11 years back.
My husband, my daughter (who is in grade12 - wants to become a doctor) and myself are for several years already Canadian citizens and we feel from all our heart that here is "home" for us.
We have met Kavoos at the yoga meditation classes that we used to attend in North York, just few months after his arrival to Canada about 8 years back.
Kavoos was for us one of the very first Iranians that we've ever met and we became so easily good friends because of his generous heart, large smile, keen interest in communicating with everyone (!) and the genuine care that he showed to everyone around, even to little children, such as my daughter at that time. Also we shared same love for poetry, particularly Rumi.
We kept in touch along all these years, even we have moved out of North York, he would call or he'll visit us or simply we'll meet with various occasions such as Christmas Party, Easter gatherings, and
so on. We would get-together for outdoors activities as well. Both Kavoos and my husband used to love playing soccer and were always cracking jokes at each other.
Of course, we knew that Kavoos is very well rooted in the social life in Canada, with many friends
from all cultures and backgrounds, always interested in art as well always willing to give a hand to
his friends when they were moving or decorating their houses. So he will be always "busy" living his Canadian life - in a nutshell, he was thriving here in Canada and we had never guessed that he is
not yet a Canadian citizen!!
I do not want to take your time and I write at length and in a haste because I was shocked to hear about his planned deportation, happening so fast!! Everyone is shocked about it and about the way
it is "prepared". Knowing that Kavoos was taken to a detention centre and that he is on hunger
strike .. it feels like a nightmare that has to end because it has no grounds in reality. I am still in disbelief that this happens to no other than Kavoos, our friend..
Please, review his case. I can imagine how hard it's for you to receive all the time such emails, but imagine that each one carries a broken heart, a reality that one cannot escape by just sending this email to you. You can help Kavoos. You can help restore his dignity and you can find a solution that is tuned to what Canada stands for, the truth about Kavoos and your consciousness. More and more people find about Kavoos and find his situation incompatible with what they know, feel, believe that Canada should and can offer to everyone that comes here.
I had only positive experiences with Canadian authorities. I love Canada and I believe in Canada and Canadians - specially that Canadians bring experience from all over the world and can have empathy
for the tragedies that happen around the world. Canadians are more aware than other people about the political injustice and dangers that still exist in other countries, such as Iran. I also believe in our friend Kavoos. I appeal to your wisdom and knowledge for finding a just solution for Kavoos. I believe in you, that you can and you will. Thank you so much.
Respectfully, Ioana Popa |
Helen wrote on January 28
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing this to you with the hope and wish that you are empowered with an Open Heart to request that Immigration Canada accord Mr. Kavoos Soofi the proper time either to prepare for his departure with dignity or to organize himself legally to use his rights to stay in Canada.
The family and friends have launched a campaign against the inhumane treatment of our government officers. We don't want to break or change the law. We don't claim any special privileges for Kavoos. We ask for human treatment and for Canadian democratic justice to prevail. Please help us with instituting pure, and true Canadian values and treatment grounded in human respect and dignity.
Thank you.
Respect and Blessings,
Helen Mittelman |
Manya wrote on January 28
To the honourable Senator Salma Attaullah-jan,
Dear Salma,
On January 11, 2012, my friend , Kavoos Soofi-Siavash , appeared before the Immigration Office to receive their decision with respect to his refugee application for protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Aid. His application was rejected. The judge at that point told Kavoos to apply for his Iranian passport and leave Canada . Upon expressing his concern for his safety in case of return to Iran (Kavoos has been active in pro-democracy movements over here) , the judge issues his arrest warrant and Kavoos is hence detained immediately, It has been 14 days since his arrest and 3 days since his hunger strike. His deportation date has been set for Feb.05, 2012.
Since Canada is committed to ensuring that people being removed from Canada are not sent to a country where they would be in danger or at risk of persecution, I am seriously concerned for Kavoos's safety upon his return to Iran and question the decision made by Immigration Canada to deport him. His deportation date has been set for 5th Feb.
Salma , Kavoos has been living in Canada lawfully with a work permit ,has registered his firm and has filed income tax each year. His family is not requesting a overturn of the judgment in his case but enough time for his new lawyer to present his case one more time and in case the final judgment supports his deportation , for him to be given enough time to tend to his affairs before leaving. In case of his voluntary departure , the government of Iran will not be informed of his activities and therefore his life will not be put in danger.
Surely a just and democratic country like Canada would support such act of human rights. I have attached the petition of support for Kavoos's case. We are doing all that we can at this point, contacting lawyers, politicians, media, activists, lobby groups I would appreciate with heartfelt gratitude any support that you are able to offer him at this time. Feb. 5, 2012 leaves us with little time to act.
Thank you for taking the time to lend your ear to this case Salma. His case # 53317100
His lawyer Robin Seligman 416-9677878
Please call me at 416-6660387
Manya Koopal-Asghar Khan
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Howard wrote on January 28
Dear Mr. Kenney,
By way of introduction I am an 80 year old actor/entertainer who was brought up in Oshawa and on Oct.25th., 2008, was inducted into The Oshawa Walk of Fame. I am still an active actor and can be seen in the new Robert de Niro film (Red Lights) as of March 2nd.
About seven years ago I met my friend Kavoos Soofi for the first time and discussed poetry and music with him. I was immediately impressed with his gentle and kindly manner. Since that time until now I have had no reason to change this impression. He just happens to be one of the nicest men I have ever met and I am sorely grieved about what is presently happenning to him. He is in no way a disreputable person and his values are my values...to live a peaceful and honourable life in this great country of ours. To deport Kavoos would, in my opinion, be a grave and unjust mistake.
This country needs people of his character and I plead with you to at least review his situation and to stay his imminent deportation. I'm sure there are times when you have every justification to deport an undesirable as regards our national security & criminality considerations, but with Kavoos this surely is not the case. Up to now, in my 80 years of living, I have not had to beg for anything but this time sir I will do so. I beg you to release Mr. Soofi from the Etobicoke detention centre so that he can sort out his life. If he returns to Iran we will have lost a dear soul.
Please open your heart.
Thanks and in hope I am Yours sincerely Howard Swinson,
TH92, 25 Esterbrooke Ave., North York, On., M2J 2C5
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Alex Biklou and Kathy Soufi wrote on January 28
To His Premier, Mr. Dalton McGuinty
Legislative Building, Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A1A1
Date: 01/28/2012
Re: An 11th Hour Desperate Plea for Kavoos Soufi's Deportation Case;
His Life May be in Danger
Dear Mr. McGuinty
This is Alex Biklou and Kathy Soufi. I am brother in law and Kathy is Kavoos's sister. We live in United States in Denver Colorado. Kavoos is being deported back to Iran on Feb 5th and he is currently in custody of Canadian Immigration Services. If he enters Iranian border/custom this way he will be taken to prison and from there he may face a dangerous terrain ahead, his life could be in jeopardy. We are here to plea with you to please suspend his deportation order back to Iran or at least give him the dignity to leave as a free man so he can choose a third country to go to; somewhere where his safety is guaranteed.
I don't think a bond for his release will be much of an issue here. He has been a law abiding resident in Canada for 8 years. He has a valid work permit that is good through 2014 and he has his own business, obligations and paid his taxes all along. He is not a flight risk, his parents are residents in US, his brother is a Canadian citizen and his sister is a US citizen. They are all educated, good hearted people. Kavoos came to Canada on student visa on 2004, when his student visa expired he asked for refugee status, his claim was denied and an appeal upheld the decision. He is on hunger strike for 6 days now.
CBC news had coverage on his case today
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Canada/Toronto/ Livestream/2169444544/ID=2191084344.
(Close to 1500 hundred people so far have signed his petition
(http://www.kavoos.org).
Please help us to help him on humanitarian ground a safe passage. At least give him the dignity he worked hard for in Canada for 8 years to leave to a third country on his own accord. We appreciate anything youf office can do for him.
Sincerely, Alex Biklou and Kathy Soufi |
Housain wrote on January 29
Honorable Minister Kenney,
Prison means where you are forced to be. It can be a cell in detention. It can be a city in exile. It can be the country of origin. Kavoos is someone who - like over 5 million other Iranians - supports this idea. Anywhere other than there. He prefers a cell in detention more than the country of origin. This strong desire is not material but spiritual. Very close to what we call freedom. Let's think for a moment and have sympathy with this very genuine feeling and support this legitimate universal idea.
Best Regards
Housain Shoaienia
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