The Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday said it was “very alarmed” by the report of a man and his wife being granted asylum by the Immigration Refugee Board of Canada, which heard that the couple was threatened after the husband refused a request by a government official to hack into the computers of leading members of the opposition and a newspaper columnist.
The story was published in Tuesday’s edition of the Stabroek News and the AFC said it believes that such “Stalinist measures of government harassment and intimidation has no place in a society that claims to be governed by democratic norms and practices.”
The party said that it is precisely such an oppressive reign of government that has resulted in the continued migration of skilled personnel in the fields critical to national development. “This clearly highlights how intolerant this administration is of opposition forces and critical voices in the society,” the party said.
It added that it also confirms its suspicion that the administration is prepared to go to any lengths to silence these voices. Such paranoid behaviour by the state, it said, is evidence that everyone is at risk from an administration that is exhibiting desperation.
The man, an Information Technology expert, alleged that he sabotaged two “anti-government” websites at the official’s request, but said his refusal to do more resulted in his wife being kidnapped and brutalised in a bid to pressure him.
In November 2009, the couple fled to Canada with Immigration Consultant Balwant Persaud, who filed a refugee claim on their behalf, on the grounds that their lives would be in danger if they returned here.
According to a notice of decision by the Refugee Board, issued on March 31, 2011, the claims for refugee protection by the couple were granted. “The refugee Protection Division determines that the claimants are convention refugees and therefore the Refugee Protection Division accepts the claims,” the notice said. The case was heard by Judge J. Waters.
