Our dear friend, Mariam Moussa, has been given a deportation order from Canada to return to Chad on June 12 and we urgently need your help to prevent her from being sent into a country in which she will face imminent danger!

Mariam's Story

Mariam was forced to flee Chad because of a risk to her life, stemming from an abusive forced marriage during which she was subject to severe physical, sexual and emotional violence, as well as forcible separation from her young daughter. In addition while living in Chad, Mariam was a vocal human rights defender, both through the her work with the United Nations and as a journalist and radio reporter and producer, which included monitoring and reporting on sexual and gender-based violence, the plight of child soldiers, illegal detentions, torture and arbitrary arrests. This profile put Mariam at an increased risk of persecution by the government, and she was thus forced to flee the country. 

Since escaping to Canada, Mariam has continued her activism with respect to Chad, and has also volunteered for various organizations throughout Quebec and Ontario including the UN. Even while living in a women's shelter, she has woken up each and every day to go out and help any organization that needs an extra person to volunteer. Throughout the community, Mariam is known for her kindness, her understanding and for giving even when she has nothing to give. During the pandemic, she has been doing drop offs and grocery shopping for people who could not leave their homes and helping people to find the resources that they need. 

Legal processes:

Mariam's initial refugee claim and appeals were rejected, and most recently, the Canadian government refused her Pre-Removal Risk Assessment and determined that it is 'safe' for Mariam to return to Chad. She is challenging this decision in the Federal Court (File number IMM-3006-21), and her lawyer believes there is a strong chance of success given several critical mistakes in the decision. 

In the meantime, CBSA has issued a deportation order and Mariam was told to purchase a direct flight to Chad, departing on June 12, 2021. This is despite the Canadian government's own travel advisory which  states: avoid all travel to Chad due to the risk of armed conflict and civil unrest. In the midst of a global pandemic, the Canadian government has also issued a travel ban due to COVID to any country including Chad. For these reasons, in addition to the stated personal circumstances which Mariam has bravely disclosed, a growing community of supporters are calling for the immediate reversal of the deportation order and believe this is a human rights issue that must be addressed by our immigration leadership. 

We believe the Canada we know, and love would not put the life of a contributing member of our society at risk.

How can you help?

1. Sign the petition! We need as much attention as possible to get another look at her case!
2. Contact MP
   
   Minister of Immigration Marco Mendicino
   
   

   By Mail: 
   Confederation Building, Suite 203
   House of Commons
   Ottawa, Ontario
   K1A 0A6

   By email: marco.mendicino@parl.gc.ca

   Telephone: 613-992-6361

   
   - OR - 
   
   MP Marci Ien
   
   By Mail: 
   House of Commons *

   Ottawa, Ontario,
   Canada
   K1A 0A6

   By email: marci.ien@parl.gc.ca
   
   Telephone: 613-992-1377

   * Mail may be sent postage-free to any member of Parliament.

3. Share this petition to everyone you know on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and use the hashtag #SupportMariam