The arrival of Vietnamese Refugees in Canada: What Have We Learned?
WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS
Ottawa 29/04/2000
|
The arrival of Vietnamese Refugees in Canada: What Have We Learned? WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS Ottawa 29/04/2000
|
Sober thoughts on April 30: The South Vietnam Liberation Front and Hanoi - Myth and Reality
The Arrival of Vietnamese
Refugees in Canada: What Have We Learned ?
I. Accuracy of History
WHEREAS
There have been many research and media reports about the war in Vietnam
which were biassed, one sided, and inaccurate, and based heavily on the
misinformation provided by the Hanoi government or by left wing organizations;
The Vietnamese Canadian Federation has been calling on journalists,
academics, and those interested in establishing the historical truth to
revisit the history of the Vietnam war in such a way that accountability
and impartiality can be preserved;
BE IT BE RESOLVED THAT
A formal apology be requested from the mistaken journalists/reporters
as well as their media institutions to the Vietnamese people and their
allies.
II. Leadership, Welcome, and Sponsorship
WHEREAS
Project 4000 and the Canadian response to Southeast Asian refugees was a high point of Canadian community response to a humanitarian crisis;
The effective partnership of the media, politicians, churches, corporations,
voluntary organizations, and the governments at all three levels in Canada
(federal, provincial, and municipal) was key to the success of the resettlement
of the Vietnamese refugees in the country;
BE IT BE RESOLVED THAT
The media, politicians, churches, corporations, voluntary organizations
and the governments show similar leadership in welcoming new refugees to
Canada.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT
The Department of Citizenship and Immigration take action to revitalize
the Private Sponsorship Program.
III. Bringing Pirates to Justice
WHEREAS
Many Vietnamese refugees, during their search for human dignity and
freedom were subject to numerous criminal acts including robbery, kidnapping,
sexual assault, and murder;
Many of those who masterminded and perpetuated those crimes were never
brought to justice.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT
The Department of Foreign Affairs work cooperatively with, or request,
the United High Commissioner for Refugees, the International War Crime
Tribunal and the Governments of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the
Philippines to immediately review this matter and bring the criminals to
justice.
IV. Stereotyping in Media Reporting
WHEREAS
By linking ethnic origin with the reporting of crimes by the media can
only contribute to stereotyping and discrimination.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT
All references to race and origin be prohibited in the reporting of
crimes by the media and the police.
V. Family Reunification
WHEREAS
Family separation is a cause of significant pain and distress which
impedes the resettlement of refugees and immigrants.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT
The Department of Citizenship and Immigration do everything possible
to facilitate the reunification of families of refugees and immigrants
who come to Canada alone.
VI. Foreign Credentials
WHEREAS
The lack of recognition of foreign credentials and work experience is
a serious cause of waste of human resources.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT
The federal and provincial governments make a concerted effort to facilitate
the transition of foreign trained professionals into appropriate employment.
VII. Access to Services
WHEREAS
New arrivals must get access to all social, medical, and educational
services.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT
The federal and provincial governments ensure adequate funding in order that: