International Press Release
October 21, 2010
The Third International Assembly of Migrants and Refugees (IAMR3) will take place November 6-8 in Mexico City, coinciding with the Fourth Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on November 10, 2010. The IAMR3 follows the First International Assembly of Migrants and Refugees in Manila in 2008 and IAMR2 whick took place in Greece in 2009.
Convened by fifteen international organizations from Mexico, the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America working towards rights and justice for migrants, a key goal of the IAMR3 is to demonstrate broad, strong resistance to the 4th GFMD, a conference of United Nations Member States whose central theme is “Partnerships for Migration and Development: Shared Prosperity – Shared Responsibility”. The prime concern of the IAMR3 is the GFMD’s emphasis on “managing” migration for economic benefits rather than looking to address the substantial social costs. Read more…
By Natalia Zhornyak
A criminal record poses a significant barrier to finding employment. Receiving a pardon is one step towards breaking down that barrier. Getting a pardon, however, is becoming more difficult in Canada.
On May 11, 2010 Bill C-23 (the Eliminating Pardons for Serious Crimes Act) was introduced to Parliament. The passing of the Bill was divided in two parts, Bill C-23(A) and Bill C-23(B). The first stage, Bill C-23(A), came into force on June 30, 2010. Read more…
By Ajamu Nangwaya (First published by Common Cause)
i am a H2 worka
pickin apple inna florida
i am a H2 worka
hopin dat tings will be betta
suh don’t tek mi fi granted and pass mi
like is only cane and apple yu si
don’t tek it fi joke and run mi
den sen to mi govament fi more a wi
dis is not slavery
just poverty
talking to democracy
- Excerpt from the poem H2 Worka by Mutabaruka
Mutabaruka, the renowned Jamaican dub poet, accurately captures the lament and pain of migrant farm workers who labour in Ontario and the rest of Canada. These offshore workers come from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Mexico, Thailand, the Philippines and other Third World areas. Read more…
