Suresh's deportation postponed

[TamilNet, Monday, 19 January 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The planned deportation of the Tamil activist, Mr. Suresh Manickavasagam was postponed today following a stay order issued by the Ontario Provincial Court. The stay order was issued following last minute hearing. Mr. Suresh's deportation was scheduled for this evening.

Application for stay order was taken up for hearing today in the Provincial Court in Ontario and Mr. Suresh's lawyer Ms. Barbara Jackman appeared on his behalf.

The 'Suresh's case' has attracted a considerable interest by several international bodies, say Tamil expatriate sources in Canada.

Since the deportation order was served the Tamil expatriates have been lobbying various governments, NGOs and other bodies in support of Mr. Suresh.

The Federal Court dismissed last week a request for stay order citing the Sri Lankan High commissioners assurance that Mr. Suresh will not be tortured or killed if he is returned to Sri Lanka.

Mr. Suresh was taken into custody in October 1995, pursuant to a security certificate issued against him under the Immigration Act of Canada.

The federal court determined in August last year, after a 52 day hearing, that the issuance of certificate, finding Mr. Suresh to be a person inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration Act, was not unreasonable.

Mr. Manickavasagam Suresh, 42, was recognised as a Convention Refugee by the Refugee Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board in Canada in 1991.