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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 12, 2004
CIVIL AUTHORITIES AND THE
RESPECT OF SANCTUARIES
OTTAWA - In view of the recent incident in Quebec City, where
local police were persuaded to breach the centuries-old tradition
of respecting the sanctuary granted by places of worship, Ottawa
City Councillor Jacques Legendre has tabled a motion (attached)
requesting that local Police refrain from taking any action in the
current local sanctuary case until the Ottawa Police Services
Board has had an opportunity to review the state of local practice
and policy in this matter.
The current 'sanctuary' case in Ottawa involves Mr. Samsu Mia, who
has been sheltered since June 24th, 2003. Mr. Mia fears
prosecution by the Bangladesh government for exposing the abusive
treatment he alleges at the hands of his employers while working
as a cleaner for the Bangladesh embassy in Ottawa. Throughout this
ordeal, Mr. Mia says that his family in Bangladesh have faced
severe reprisals, including beatings, which have hospitalised his
son. Should he return to his native Bangladesh, Mr. Mia fears that
he would face vindictive authorities that could endanger his life.
Councillor Legendre fears that this civilizing tradition, a
tradition that we have inherited from the middle ages, a tradition
which many faith communities have supported, ought not to be
allowed to disappear without public discourse.
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Contact:
Jacques Legendre
(613) 580-2483
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