Canada Woman Fears Stoning to Death in Pakistan after Deportation
A native Pakistani was deported from Canada on Tuesday. The 65-year-old woman may be stoned to death in her country as she is accused of adultery.
Jamila Bibi from Saskatchewan was in tears when she was moving out of Canada. She was arrested last week. Federal court documents said that she had been detained in the midst of a "pre-removal interview," CTV News reported. She told officers that her life could be in danger in Pakistan. Jamila asked for help. She apparently became "hysterical" as she started hitting herself in the chest and head. She said that she could kill herself. She said that she had not done anything wrong. Nor had she stolen anything, she said. "I worked and now they are doing this," she said.
Jamila was arrested to ensure "her safety and the officers." Her bank card was confiscated and later given to her friend who was with her during the interview. Jamila had $184.25 in cash with her. Her supporters who protested the court's decision to deport her gathered at the Saskatoon airport. They claimed that the woman could be stoned to death on her return to her native country. They had hoped to get support from Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney for a last-minute halt to the deportation. Jamila was sent to Toronto and later moved to Pakistan in the afternoon.
Jamila's refugee status was rejected as she was also barred from going back to Canada again in the future on any kind of visa. The Federal Court of Canada was not convinced that her life was in danger in Pakistan, "The applicant has not presented evidence before this court that could support a finding that she will face risks if she is removed to Pakistan that have not been already assessed on two occasions," Justice Marie-Josee Bedard said in court documents, "Therefore, and considering that the applicant's allegation of irreparable harm is based on risks, she has not met her evidentiary burden."
According to Jamila's lawyer Bashir Khan, she went to Canada in 2007 to work as a cook. It was after her husband had accused her of adultery. According to Khan, traditional Islamic law suggests stoning to death for married people committing adultery.
Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au