Lawyers Without Borders Canada welcomes the arrival of two of the "Snowden refugees" in Canada Français
QUEBEC, March 26, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Lawyers Without Borders Canada welcomes the Government of Canada's decision to accept Ms. Vanessa Rodel and her daughter Keana as refugees to Canada. Ms. Rodel and her daughter were among seven asylum seekers who sheltered whistleblower Edward Snowden in Hong Kong in 2013.
Lawyers Without Borders salutes Ms. Rodel and the other Snowden refugees for their courage and selflessness. Lawyers Without Borders also acknowledges the hard work of their lawyer in Hong Kong Mr. Robert Tibbo, and their Canadian lawyers working within the NGO For the Refugees, the Canadian organization that sponsors the "Snowden Refugees" and has submitted their refugee claim to the Government of Canada.
Lawyers Without Borders became involved in the case at the request of For the Refugees because the right to legal representation of the "Snowden Refugees" in Hong Kong was threatened. Lawyers Without Borders intervened in support of Robert Tibbo, who was suffering the repercussions of his representation of Edward Snowden and his unwavering commitment to the "Snowden Refugees".
"The right to be represented with dignity, particularly for people in situations of vulnerability such as Ms. Vanessa Rodel, her daughter Keana and the other five 'Snowden Refugees', is fundamental," commented Pascal Paradis, Executive Director of Lawyers Without Borders. "During a mission to Hong Kong in this case, I myself had the opportunity to see how the 'Snowden Refugees', Mr Tibbo and For the Refugees stood for principles that are dear to Canadians, including the very principle of the rule of law. That is why we welcome the decision to grant Ms. Rodel and her daughter refugee status in Canada," added Mr. Paradis.
Lawyers Without Borders hopes that the five "Snowden Refugees" who remain in a critical situation in Hong Kong will be able to follow Ms. Rodel and her daughter Keana to Canada. Lawyers Without Borders will continue to support Mr Tibbo and For the Refugees in their mission to protect the rule of law and access to justice for people in situations of vulnerability.
SOURCE Lawyers Without Borders Canada
Maxime Mariage, Communications Officer, Office : 418.907.2607 ext. 115, Cell : 438.398.9739, [email protected]
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