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Saturday, September 09, 2006
How The Time Was Set
I started getting ready for the big day at 4 a.m. I put on my suit and then went to Toronto. My meeting was at 9:30 a.m. I had breakfast and then entered the building at 8:45 a.m.
At about 9:50 a.m. all of us, five different claimants, were called into the meeting room. Our cases were similar and so were the rules that applied to us--these were relayed verbally. Two of the claimants had translators; one in Urdu, the other in Tamil. So, the person who was telling us about the regulations had to halt every few words for the deciphering. This got quite jarring after a few minutes. The entire talk in English / Urdu / Tamil took around 30 minutes.
After that we left the room. It was time for each case to be dealt with individually. I was called at around 10:45 a.m.
I was presented with a few documents such as the photocopy of my personal file and the supporting papers that I had provided them a few months earlier. A curious two-page document called the Screening Form was also given to me. Basically, in there, my claim was boiled down in a few words. I wasn't satisfied with the summary. In turn, the person(s) who made the Screening Form weren't satisfied with my claim.
For example, a part of the "Claim Description" in the Screening Form:
"PAKISTAN, Punjab, Lahore
Fear is unspecified/unclear
appears to fear persecution because of his anti-Islamic views."
Apparently, I have done an atrocious job of presenting my case. Fortunately, I still have three months to rectify the situation (since I can mail in documents at least 20 days before the hearing).
I asked a few questions about the summary. I was told that it comes down to credibility or rather the lack of it. The Refugee Protection Officer tried to console me by saying that that is the problem with everyone in my situation.
The officer made a phone call to schedule the time for my hearing. She inquired if X day in January is alright. I thought to myself for a second and then asked if it was possible to make it the day after that. The officer went back to the call and in a few seconds answered in the affirmative.
I left the building at 11:30 a.m. Leading up to the meeting, I tried to stay calm but somehow anxiety crept up ever so slowly. When I exited the building, I was mentally tired. I walked to the bus station in zombie-mode.
On the trip back, only one thought echoed in my mind: On my next birthday, I will fight for my life.
Posted by Isaac Schrödinger at 04:25 AM in Life, Schrödinger's Case | Permalink
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Listed below are links to weblogs that reference How The Time Was Set:
» Co-Blogger Fighting For His Life from The Moderate Voice
One of the co-bloggers at my own blog, Liberty and Justice, Isaac Schrodinger is currently involved in the fight of his life. Even, a fight for his life.
As all o... [Read More]
Tracked on Sep 9, 2006 5:18:27 AM
» Blogger In Fight For His Life from Old War Dogs
Note: Do to the life-and-death importance of the subject matter this post will remain at the top of the Old War Dogs site at least through Monday. Scroll down for newer posts. Actually posted 2006.09.09.13:36. Please read this, follow the [Read More]
Tracked on Sep 9, 2006 1:58:35 PM
» Blogger In Fight For His Life from Old War Dogs
Note: Do to the life-and-death importance of the subject matter this post will remain at the top of the Old War Dogs site at least through Monday. Scroll down for newer posts. Actually posted 2006.09.09.13:36. Please read this, follow the [Read More]
Tracked on Sep 9, 2006 2:00:25 PM
» Blogger Faces Return to Tolerant Pakistan from The Jawa Report
Say you were from Pakistan. Say you came to Canada and became a blogger speaking out against Islamic terror. Would you be say a bit worried about the attachment of your head to ther rest of you? Say you blog... [Read More]
Tracked on Sep 9, 2006 5:45:05 PM
» Asylum for Isaac Schrödinger: Let Him Stay! from Discarded Lies
Isaac Schrödinger, a frequent commenter here and a fine blogger, is a Pakistani apostate from Islam, studying in Canada. He became an apostate in Canada, and is now fighting to obtain asylum and be allowed to remain there—for as we... [Read More]
Tracked on Sep 9, 2006 11:59:02 PM
Comments
It's good that you had a chance to review your documentation.
But I don't understand why it wasn't you who filled out the screening form, wrote your own summary and so forth. Isaac, do you have legal representation?
Posted by: Laura(southernxyl) | Sep 9, 2006 7:17:13 AM
No. Not yet.
Posted by: Isaac Schrödinger | Sep 9, 2006 7:18:26 AM
Thank you, Isaac, for that update. It must have been quite nerve-racking. If it's in January, you still have some time to prepare, and many people are making excellent suggestions. But you know your case best in the end. Let us know how we can help, if we can.
Posted by: Muslihoon | Sep 9, 2006 8:24:39 AM
What can we do to help you? Is there some place we send emails or letters?
My advise is to use the Adbul Rahman case from Afghanistan to illustrate your plight. There is a chance that the PC brainwashed may get it.
Posted by: Demosthenes | Sep 9, 2006 12:04:17 PM
Isaac: people are suggesting quite some good things. I have e-mailed you some suggestions people made: names of people you should contact to give you relevant information, etc.
Posted by: Michael van der Galien | Sep 9, 2006 12:13:39 PM
Isaac, have you tried writing Irshad Manji and asking her to intervene on your behalf? She's Muslim and she's Canadian.
Posted by: Robert Stevens | Sep 9, 2006 12:27:23 PM
Isaac, is there no possibility someone can testify to the problem with your having left "Islam"? I do not know it's a 'fact' but have been reading for a few years now, that to denounce Islam is a capital offense in Pakistan and other Islamic countries?
Posted by: Kathianne | Sep 9, 2006 12:39:07 PM
I don't know what all you've tried, but I do know that refugee status sympathies are declining. Have you considered applying for a skilled worker's visa? Someone that knows english, demonstrates ability to assimilate into the culture and is highly educated has a far greater chance of getting in for economic reasons than humanitarian ones. If you haven't considered it, I would look into this program and accept the possibility that they might not overlap -- like your refugee status could get rejected before the worker's visa is enacted. In that case, it should be possible to come over to the US on a temporary work visa for a few months in order for Canada to reply to your economic one. I should note that I've only heard about these things as a second/third party so I don't know the legal issues around doing that though. Good luck.
Posted by: Mikkel | Sep 9, 2006 1:12:20 PM
Kathianne. One example:
"Under Pakistani law, blasphemy against Muhammad carries the death penalty."
From here
Posted by: Michael van der Galien | Sep 9, 2006 1:19:34 PM
Blogger In Fight For His Life will remain at the top of the Old War Dogs site through Monday. You are also now on the OWD blogroll.
Posted by: Bill Faith | Sep 9, 2006 2:15:06 PM
Isaac,
My Covenant Zone blogging colleagues and I here in Vancouver will render any assistance we can. I don't suppose you can start appealing to the Minister until after your hearing, but if you want any letters written, research done, all you need to do is write me and make clear what you need.
john
Posted by: truepeers | Sep 9, 2006 2:31:59 PM
Perhaps you should concentrate on apostasy rather than "anti-Islamic views".
Quote legal cases which ended up in apostates being imprisoned or worse.
Posted by: MissingLink | Sep 9, 2006 2:33:26 PM
For example, we could make every journalist-blogger in Canada aware of your story, if that would help.
Posted by: truepeers | Sep 9, 2006 2:49:32 PM
Isaac, I can't help except to let you know that I support you, and that you're in my thoughts and prayers. I'm thinking that the blogosphere will come through for you.
Posted by: Maggie45 | Sep 9, 2006 7:36:46 PM
Good questions and suggestions.
Demosthenes: "What can we do to help you? Is there some place we send emails or letters?"
I'll keep that in mind and let you know when and if.
Robert Stevens: "Isaac, have you tried writing Irshad Manji and asking her to intervene on your behalf?"
No, I haven't contacted her.
Kathianne: "Isaac, is there no possibility someone can testify to the problem with your having left "Islam"?"
I'll see if that is possible. I'm allowed to bring a witness to the hearing.
Mikkel: Right now, the Canadian government has my passport. So, the only option for myself is to see this to the end.
Bill Faith: Thanks you. I'll reciprocate the blogroll link.
Truepeers: Thank you. I would certainly like it if the Canadian media were to pick up this story. I think the added attention (and the resulting criticism and suggestions) will help my case.
MissingLink: Will do.
Maggie45: The Blogosphere brought you here with your kind words. I also think it will come through.
Posted by: Isaac Schrödinger | Sep 9, 2006 7:57:07 PM
There are a lot of us pulling for you here in America.
I will send this post around.
Posted by: reelcobra | Sep 9, 2006 9:58:33 PM
Reelcobra: "I will send this post around."
I would appreciate that. Thanks.
Posted by: Isaac Schrödinger | Sep 9, 2006 10:04:58 PM
Track back:
Pakistani Blogger in Canadian Trouble
Isaac Schrodinger needs your help. He is an apostate Muslim trying to get assylum in Canada. It appears that the Canadian authorities are not to sympathetic.
Posted by: M. Simon | Sep 9, 2006 10:48:30 PM
I'm a bit late in reading this, but my heart goes out to you, Isaac. Even Ahmadi Muslims are treated atrociously, robbed, raped, segregated, killed, and legally discriminated against in Pakistan, because they're not "the right kind" of Muslim. I would emphasize this as an example of just how intolerant Pakistan is of anyone who is not Muslim.
Posted by: evariste | Sep 9, 2006 11:21:55 PM
Let me know if there's any gesture of support I can make to help your case with the Canadian authorities.
Posted by: evariste | Sep 9, 2006 11:22:38 PM
Evariste: "Let me know if there's any gesture of support I can make to help your case with the Canadian authorities."
I'll publish a huge post soon that will present my case in great detail. I'd like it if you could link to it and ask the folks at Discarded Lies to offer input.
Posted by: Isaac Schrödinger | Sep 9, 2006 11:30:19 PM
Isaac-certainly! I've just published a post supporting you and I've subscribed to your feed so I can keep on top of things. I look forward to it eagerly.
Posted by: evariste | Sep 10, 2006 12:00:18 AM
"I'll see if that is possible. I'm allowed to bring a witness to the hearing."
I've offered before, so I'll just remind you: if you need someone to acompany you and testify on your behalf I'd be more than happy to do so. I do live in Toronto after all, and my status as a member of the CF might make some difference in the matter. Or, if you just want someone to look over and critique your evidence before you submit it, I'd be more than happy to sit down at a timmies with you and have a look over what you've put together. I'm no lawyer, but having a second opinion always helps. Anything I can do to help, let me know.
Posted by: Alex | Sep 10, 2006 12:03:48 AM
Isaac:
A link to your blog was posted at "The Canadian Coalition for Democracies". Al Gordon, the President, may know someone who may know someone who may be able to help you with your case. It's worth a try. I was also going to suggest Irshad Manji who may know other apostates from Pakistan who may be of help to you. I would think that Pakistani law would be your best defense. What does the law say in Pakistan about apostates from Islam? Bring THAT to your next hearing. Better yet, get it to them right away. Man, if I were you, I'd be plumbing the depths of the net case law and newspaper accounts about apostates in Pakistan. All the best to you. Visit the CCD forum for like- minded Canadians.
Posted by: Shelley | Sep 10, 2006 1:19:25 AM
It would seem to me that the first order of business is legal representation. Someone with breadth of experience in immigrant law.
And one very practical thing we could all do is contribute to this since such assistance will not be cheap.
If anyone in Canada can set up a bank fund for this purpose, we'll certainly contribute. And once it's set up, we could link widely across the 'sphere for donations.
I'm donating the offer of an image for this from the Baron. Haven't told him yet, but I know he'd be glad to do one, customized for your situation.
Let us know.
Meanwhile, a post is in order on our blog. It'll be up shortly.
Posted by: dymphna | Sep 10, 2006 2:38:35 PM
