To All News Editors

Advisory For Immediate Release

February 4, 2014

Groups Call for Independent Investigation into Jiménez’s Death in Custody; Deliver Petition with 7,000 Signatures to CBSA Offices

Vancouver, B.C. – A coalition of legal, migrant, and women’s groups are calling for a full, transparent, independent civilian inquiry and inquest into the death of Lucia Vega Jiménez while under CBSA custody.  Representatives from the groups will be raising serious questions and concerns about the secrecy of public officials in the handling of this tragic death, as well as recent immigration and detention policy changes.

A petition will be delivered to CBSA offices on Wednesday February 5th afternoon following a press conference. Over 7,000 people have signed a petition to the Minister of Public Safety, Canada Border Services Agency, BC Coroners’ Service, and demanding an immediate public inquiry and a comprehensive review of migrant detention policies such as indefinite detention and mandatory detention for migrants arriving in groups.

Photographers: Visual of petition delivery will be available.

Petition Link: http://www.change.org/lucia

What: Press Conference and Petition Delivery to Canadian Border Services Agency
When: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Where: In front of Canada Border Services Agency, 300 West Georgia

Who:

Josh Paterson: BC Civil Liberties Association
Karla Lottini: Mexican journalist and refugee
Byron Cruz: Latin American Committees for Refugees and Migrant Justice
Doug King: Pivot Legal Society
Rosa Elena Artega: Battered Women’s Support Services

MEDIA CONTACTS

Josh Paterson, Executive Director of BC Civil Liberties Association: 604-630-9752
Harsha Walia, No One Is Illegal: 778-885-0040
Byron Cruz, Latin American Committees for Refugees and Migrant Justice: 604-315-7725
Karla Lottini, Mexican journalist and refugee: 778-251-0768
Doug King, Lawyer at Pivot Legal Society: 778-898-6349
Rosa Elena Arteaga, Battered Women’s Support Services: 778-996-5993