By Trend News Line 2024-04-16 09:00:00.
Muhammad Zain Ul Haq, a 23-year-old university student and climate activist in British Columbia, may be facing deportation to Pakistan in less than a week. Haq, known as Zain, has been a prominent figure in the environmental movement in Canada, spearheading campaigns for fossil fuel divestment on campus and to save old-growth forests in the country. However, his activism has led to his arrest for nonviolent civil disobedience multiple times.
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In 2022, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) revoked Haq’s temporary student visa and issued an exclusion order, alleging that he was not making adequate progress toward his degree at Simon Fraser University. Despite not being convicted of any charges at that time, Haq is now facing a removal date of April 22—coincidentally, Earth Day.
The speed with which the CBSA has moved to deport Haq has raised concerns among climate activists in Canada and internationally. Many believe that the government is eager to remove someone they see as a movement leader and a thorn in their side. Betsy Apple, a lawyer with Global Climate Legal Defense, has raised concerns about the deportation, stating that it is troubling that someone can be deported for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of speech.
Global Climate Legal Defense, also known as CliDef, has been working to defend Haq and has paid some of his legal fees. The organization claims that Haq’s deportation would be one of the first examples of deportation for climate activism in North America. Apple argues that the deportation is a violation of the Canadian Charter of Fundamental Rights and is not in line with Canada’s image as a pro-democracy force in the world.
In response to the impending deportation, more than 2,300 people have signed a petition to keep Haq in Canada. Many supporters have called and written to their elected representatives, urging them to intervene on Haq’s behalf. Haq’s wife, Canadian citizen Sophia Papp, has emphasized his value to Canada as a dedicated climate activist working to protect the future of Canadians.
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Haq’s lawyer, Randall Cohn, has requested a final judicial hearing on April 16 to determine whether the exclusion order can be delayed. If the judge does not grant a stay, Haq’s last resort will be intervention from the minister of immigration, Marc Miller. However, if all options are exhausted, Haq will be forced to board a flight to Karachi on April 21.
As the situation unfolds, Haq and Papp have been preparing for the possible outcome. Haq, who witnessed climate disasters in Pakistan at a young age, has been a vocal advocate for environmental action in Canada. His activism has inspired many, and supporters are hopeful that he will be able to remain in the country to continue his important work.
The case of Muhammad Zain Ul Haq highlights the intersection of climate activism and immigration policy in Canada. As Haq’s removal date approaches, the environmental community is rallying around him, calling for justice and fairness in his case. The decision on whether Haq will be deported will have far-reaching implications for the future of climate activism in the country..
will canada deport student climate activist earth day
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