The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.62/No.36           October 12, 1998 
 
 
Stop Deportations In Canada  
Below are excerpts of a statement issued by Michel Dugré and Elssa Martinez, candidates of the Communist League for mayor of Montreal and for city councilor in the district of Pere-Marquette, respectively.

All working people, youth, and defenders of democratic rights should unconditionally join the struggle by 67 Chilean refugees against their deportation by Immigration Canada and for their right to remain in this country.

Under the growing international crisis of their capitalist system of exploitation and oppression, all imperialist governments without exception - including Ottawa -are scapegoating immigrants and refugees for the increased unemployment, massive reduction of social services, and growing dislocation of social life that characterize the coming of the 21st century under capitalism. They have tightened their immigration policies and opened the door to deadly street attacks against immigrants by ultrarightist and fascist forces around the world.

But it is the capitalist system that is responsible for the growing unemployment and massive deterioration of social services in the imperialist countries. And it is this same system that is responsible for the increased economic, military, and political devastation that sweeps the countries oppressed and exploited by imperialism - the real reason why millions of working people around the world are forced to live in another country.

Ottawa's tougher policies are not aimed at preventing immigrants and refugees to come to Canada. They are aimed at creating a layer in the working class with fewer rights who are forced to accept the employers' worsening conditions by fear of being deported. This system drives down the rights, wages, and working conditions of all workers. Ottawa's immigration policies are aimed at dividing and dehumanizing all working people by convincing many to accept that a whole layer of our brothers and sisters be treated in a brutal and cruel manner under the pretext that they come from another country. This is part of the bosses' political preparation for their wars against their capitalist competitors in other countries and against the people who resist the increasingly unbearable effects of the capitalist economic crisis.

The struggle of the Chilean refugees in Montreal shows once again that in today's world immigrants are not just victims. They are fighters who bring a real reinforcement to our class. Their struggle also confirms that in today's world the real bearer of humanity and dignity is the working class. It is in our interest to demand an immediate stop to all deportations, a general amnesty for all refugees - Chilean and others - as many of the current combatants have begun to demand, and the abolition of Ottawa's immigration and refugee laws.

 
 
 
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