‘Other Editorials & Opinions EDITORIAL The Federal Government's refusal to recognise the legitimate claims of the ten refugee claimants (and three supporters) hunger striking in downtown Vancouver is indicitive of an ongoing racist anti-immigration backlash in Canada. Law C-86, which came into effect on January 1, 1993, has changed Canadian immigration policy and makes it much more difficult for immigrants from so-called third world countries to enter into Canada. The law gives immigration and airline officials thearbitrary power to interrogate and turn away refugee claimants at the border. There are ten Iranian refugees, including six women, on a hunger strike to protest federal orders to deport more than 100 refugee claimants in Vancouver to Iran. The government has left some of these refugee claimants in “legal limbo” for four years. For many of these refugees deportation would result in certain death or imprisonment. Their commitment is so strong that they would rather die of starvation here in Canada than die of torture and imprisonment in Iran. Thus far,one woman hasbeen taken in tothe hospitalrepeatedly forkidney failureand otherrespiratory problems. Many women who have experienced persecution because of their opposition to sexist laws and practices in their countries of origin have applied for refugee status in Canada. And our government is currently being praised for considering legislation which would recognise the rights of these women. Meanwhile, the legitimate claims of literally thousands of refugee claimants, including the six women hunger strikers, are being ignored. Andour governmentis doing little tocombatsexism and violence against women here in Canada. What if we do begin accepting more women refugees? What kind of “refuge” are we offering? Conditions in Canadaaren’t necessarily better than “over there.” This government has used tactics, such as Law C-86 which prevents refugees from learning English and forces them toremain on social assistance for at least one year after their arrival. For women that enter this country with children, this kind of “refuge” is absolutely intolerable and insensitive. If Law C-86 is not repealed it should be at least taken into great reconsideration because of its implications for people who are seeking asylum in Canada. A TCES douglas college's autonomous sindent newspaper - since 1976 SE March 19, 1993 TheOther Pressis Douglas College'sautonomous studentnewspaper since 1976. Being autonomous means neither the Douglas College Students’ Society or the College administration can tell the Other Press what to tpg ou you, the students, can decide what goes in the paper by out. It means that if someone doesn't like us, they can't shut your own for telling the truth. 2 Waeleobiaca fromastudentlevy collected from youevery semester at registration, and also from local and national advertising revenue. The Other Press is a member of the Canadian University Press, a tive of almost 50 student newspapers from across Canada. We adhere to CUP’s Statment of Common Principles and Code of Ethics. The Other Press reserves the right not to publish an sexist, racist, homophobic, or against the iples of good taste. Letters received by the Other Praca should be a maximum of 300 words, and contain the name, program of study, and student number writer (although the latter can be withheld upon request). The Other Press reserves the right to edit for space constraints. And double-check your spelling and : letters are printed uncorrected. The collective is the final arbiter of disputes. PHO! IE - 525-3542 FAX - 527-5095. Staff This Issue The H.M.S. Other Press entered the Douglas s with Captain. David Whale at the helm surrounded by his faii crew of Mark Foster, Tim Crumbly, Nora Gillis and Tony Sousa. Suddenly the communications officer Nadine Handley yelled "Its the Romulans!". The image of captain Angus Adair shimmered into existence, there he was surrounded by his dastardly crew of DarrenSmiley, Elaine Leong, and Dawn Agno. "Prepare to suck vacuum you puddin’ heads!" they cried. Phasers started blasting and both ships were badly crippled. Captain Dave decided to send over a landing party consisting of Greg Holtz(a.ka. Beatle) Lucho van Isschot and Marion Drakos. A vicious battle ensued on the enemy ship. Neither side was gaining ground, the situation seemed hopeless. Then in the midst of this senseless violence the two omnipotent beings Michael Gaylord and Tara Meiklejohn appeared and sucked all ther creative energy and created this radiant newspaper. Coordinators darren smillie advertising - byrun stedmann & tara meiklejohn aris & review -christopher maciaren features - greg holiz graphics - no news - tim crumley office - nadine handley photos eo chiotakos production - elaine leong sports «no editorials & opinion « marion drakos classifieds + stephen so distribution + brook johnston creative the Other Press Other Letters lranians on Hunger Strike Over 100 Iranian refugee claimantsareindanger of deportation by Canada Immigration. On February 24, 1993, seven of these people beganah strike in front ofCanadaImmigrationCentreat800 Helmken. Since this date, they have been joined by3 other claimants and 3 landed immigrants (who are sympathetic to their plight). Most the hunger strikers have been awaiting a resolution of their claims for 2-4 years. In the meantime, the have been leftin legal limbo wherein they have denied work permits, access to English language classes, and day care. Ali Soltani, one of the hunger strikers whohas been denied refugee status after residing in Canada for 3 yearsand who now faces tion along withhis wifeand child,alluded to this problem: “I did eight months volunteer work in car-repair shop,” said Ali “and then! gota positionas a mechanic; ‘however, immigration refused to renew my work permit and_I was told to go on social assistance instead. Also my child was denied daycare.” It is this frustration that has caused Ali and his wife, Kobra, to join the hunger strike. Kobra deitaationed that “1 was told by the courts that I have sufficient reasons for status, but due to the rejection of my husband’ eee childhave been rejected. ener to us if we are cada It is very cnlikely that Canada immigration is unaware of the horrible human rights situation in Iran. All condemnations made by the United Nation and other human rights organizations for mass executions, terror, kidnapand torture of Iranian citizens and even non Iranians’ have made a huge black record for the Islamic regime. The terrorism of this government is a threat for freedom of and expressionattheglobal level. Salman Rushdie is a case in point. In spite of 7 the universal execration, the I vernmentfor its ou attitu toward the communi The violationof the fundamental global women’s rights in Iran must, of explicitly, be highlighted here. Among the striker are women who only because of their sex have been shamelessly tortured by the Islamic government. Thetreatmentof women is atrocious: stoning to death, whipping, and forced marriage are common punishment for a variety of, socalled, “crimes: suchas in Canada. This will show a real respect for women’s rights. Zahra Zarnoosh, one of the strikers facing deportation, and a single mother who escaped an abusive relationship with her husband -a high ranking position in Iran— is een the hundreds of thousands of Iranian women who escaped fundamentalist Islamiclaw. “Thave heen in Canada with mySon for 3 years after escaping from my Wy Pith husband, : said Zahra. “1 came here with the expectation of gaining support from Canadians, but ironically, I have been branded a criminal because of my husband's claims to the Canadian embassy in Iran that I had stolen my child. The judge here even asked me if I had stolen children in the past! Because of my husband's influence with the Canadian authorities, I have been denied status and lam being forced back to place where death isa punishment for women who leave their husbands.” Whileonthehunger strike, Zahra has suffered from kidney 'Y problems and has been taken to the hospital four times. Her plight has gained her support of several women’s groups including the NAC of the Status of Women (National Action Committee). the Iranians will put their lives in great danger and ridiculesCanadian forhuman rights. Canada will be ible for any outcome (imprisonment, torture, execution) of the possible deportation, = Mahdy Sirdehai Persian New Year Festival Dear Other Press, I would like to inform you that the Persian new year Naw Ruz is arriving. This occasion is being celebrated on the 20th of March 1993 on the first day of . This is one of the oldest celebrations in the Persian culture. With this note I have enclosed some information on how this festive season is celebrated. I hope that on this occasion you will take a moment of your time to wish the Persian community a ” Happy Naw Ruz” since you have been kind enough to wish other communities on their seasons of festivity. I would like to thank you for your time and efforts. Yours Sincerely, Reza Mehrabi The New Year's Celebration by Reza Mehrabi The Iranian New Year ( Naw Ruz) is always on the first day of spring, March 20th or 21st, and corresponds with the rebirth of nature. This year it is on the 20th of March 1993. Although the Firdusi tells in the Shahnameh( Book ) of the legendary King Jamsid and the first Naw Ruz celebration, it goes back atleast three thousand years. Naw Ruz_ ceremonies symbolically represent the two concepts of death and rebirth; good andevil. To this day, beginninga few weeks before the new year, Iranians refugees thoroughly clean and decorate their homes. This is called Khana-Takani or house s! . They make new cloths, bake pastries and germinate seeds as signs of renewal. The ceremonial cloth( Sofren Sinn) is set up in each household. Some people dress up using make up and bright clothes and appear on the street with tambourines, singing and dancing, hringing gnoad cheerand announcing the coming of the new year. On the March 19, 1993 eve of the last Wednesday of the year( Shab-E ChaharSanbehSourey), bonfires are heldin public placesand peopleleapover the flamesshouting, “ Give me your beautiful red colour and fire, and light we hope to see through this unlucky night the end of the year. A special ayeel, the ayeel-e mosheqi goshah or unraveller of difficulties, is made from the hearts of seven fruits and nuts: pistachio, walnut, hazelnut, pumpkinseed, peach, arising and fig. A special cover is spread out in every household and on it is placed seven symbols begi with the letter “S” in the Persian language. Subreh- sprouts or lentils Samanou- a kind of pudding made with wheat or lentils Sib- apples Sombol- hyacinth Senyed- fruit of the yuyobe, a of olive ae garlic Somagh- sumac These represent the seven angels, heralds of life, rebirth health, happiness, joy and beauty. Seven has “been a sacred number in Persia since ancient times. Also placed on the table are a copy of theKoran,a volume of poems of Hafez, some coins, a bitter floating ina bowl of water, a bowl of painted eggs,a bowl of milk, goldfish inabowlof water, aflaskofrosewater, anincense burner and sevenbranches from gnarled trees( olive and megranate). Two candlabra fading the same number of candles as there eoeaiies in the family are placed on either side ofa mirror. This ornamentation remains for the thirteen day festive season. The last night of the year the lights are left burning so that the spirits of the ancestors, who visit on this night, see the respect offered to them as well as the prosperity and happiness oftheir offspring. Inreturn, it is believed that they will give their blessings for the coming year, to the household. In the past, on Naw Ruz itself, people would rise very early and make their way to sources of water for rites. Now we simply take a bath and put on new clothes. On the eve of Naw Ruz, family t and friends sit around the “sofineh” awaiting the transition of the new natigelas After that, the oldest presenting the well saline by standing up and giving everyone a sweet, pastry, some gold coins and lots of hugs. Calmness, happiness, sweetness and perfumed scents are important on this day of rebirth as the mood of the Naw Ruz day is said to continue throughout the year. Onthethirteenthday of theNaw Ruz, called Sizdeh-Bedar, whole families leave their homes carrying trays of sprouted seeds to form a procession toa picnicinacool grassy place. Far from home they throw uts into the water, completin the proces of theend of the yearan fae of another. ath traditional Naw Ruz dinner contains fish and herbed rice. These are believed to bring good luck.