Mamadou's Case as Presented by Lawyer Guillaume Cliche-Rivard
"Support for Mamadou is absolutely incredible. ... and it's because of the support you are giving him, that he's still here in front of you." ... "Mamadou should have already received his papers ... been regularized and all of us should not have to be here, come what may, to defend him."
"Mamadou's case is extremely complicated but if we simplify it, there are two main aspects: the first is that the risks upon return have not been assessed since 2018 ... on whether the political and security situation in Côte d'Ivoire allows for his return. ... Safety wise, the situation has really gotten worse, as has political repression because of present government destabilization. ... Former prime minister Guillaume Soro has tried to take the presidency. There's a lot of tension. None of this has been assessed by Border Services or by the IRCC [Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada]."
Guillaume Cliche-Rivard added that what also has not been evaluated is Mamadou's claims that he has returned to Côte d'Ivoire on a number of occasions and each time, was arrested, detained, and incarcerated.
"The person out to get him, wanting to cause him harm is today lieutenant general of the army in Côte d'Ivoire and what also has not been looked into is whether he is in a position to do so, and clearly he's in a position to go after Mamadou."
"Furthermore, there's also the issue of his case's high visibility, the fact that he has fought tooth and nail not to go back. Everyone there knows that when Mamadou gets off the airplane, he'll be arrested, detained, interrogated and unfortunately maybe even tortured.
"And
all of that has been confirmed in a report by Amnesty International, a
recent report submitted to Border Services signed by the Director
General of Amnesty International in Côte d'Ivoire, with its
conclusion that unfortunately Mr. Konaté will undergo an
interrogation, an arrest, incarceration
and inhumane treatment upon return.
"This has been confirmed by an expert on the ground and for the time being, Canada Border Services, are stubbornly attempting to deport him. So of course we'll apply to the Federal Court next week and we'll be keeping you abreast with respect to his deportation date. However, the Federal Court has the power to issue a stay on his removal and if it does not go in that direction, there's always the United Nations' Human Rights Committee, where we can lodge a complaint against Canada on behalf of Mr. Konaté. We're going to do everything in our power to avoid his deportation on September 30.
"Above and beyond all the risks, there's also his positive file, all the work that Mr. Konaté did during COVID-19 in CHSLDs [long-term care centres]. He worked in three of them. He himself contracted the virus, which turned his life upside down for a time, then returned to work and continues to be employed today. He also has considerable support from the political class as well as within civil society. All these positive factors are there for him to be granted temporary status."
"We're putting pressure on the federal government, as it's the one that can grant status. Mr. Mendicino, the Minister of Public Safety as well as Immigration Minister Fraser must respond quickly, block Mr. Konaté's deportation and grant him status, but permanent status, as there's no way we're going to keep coming back here every three weeks, six months, or year to advocate for, then fight for Mr. Konaté."
"And so Mamadou, I truly hope that this time around, this mobilization is the right one and I hope that you find peace of mind."
This article was published in
Volume 52 Number 19 - September 28, 2022
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmld2022/Articles/D520193.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca