[ 
Mood: Fed Up WIth Life ]
[ 
Currently: Listening to CBC Radio ]
Dear Minister Van Loan
To say this morning’s news upset me would be an understatement. For my government to think that sending someone who has fled one of the most repressive regimes in the world back is a good idea is ridiculous. It would be laughable if the result weren’t certain to be so incredibly tragic. Amnesty Internation lists many of the human rights abuses in Mynmar. The UN has repeatedly expressed concern about the military regime in Burma. A US document that the Canadian Goverment hosts on canada.ca sates that the Burmese government has a hiostory of "chronic and egregious abuses of human rights". Finally, your own website states "The abhorrent human rights and humanitarian situation in Burma is particularly dangerous as the government’s actions not only oppress its own people, but also bring substantial transnational destabilizing effects which threaten peace and security in the entire region and undermine freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law". The Canadian gornment has imposed sanctions against the Myanmar government because of the human rights abuses.
So why then are you sending him back?
Just based on the above, we should shelter him. If you add in the fact he was forced to be a child soldier adds to the absurdity. The Canadian government is concerned about the issue and in fact gives money to help prevent the use of child soldiers. Yet by sending Nay Myo Hein back, you are flying in the face of government policy.
Think also of our history. Canada has a history of taking those people who need a safe place to live. Since before our founding, we have been a sanctuary. Ask any of the desendants of the slaves that made their way north to freedom. The Vaniers worked to bring refugees to Canada after WWII. We sheltered U.S. draft dogers during the Vietnam War. Thirty years ago Project 4000 was launched in Ottawa, sparking a nationwide movement. We are a nation built on compassion.
Please, Minister Van Loan, I implore you. Reverse this decision. Do what we as Canadians have always done. Save this young man. Let him stay.