Canadians: We need your help!

[carol@xxxxxxx]

Dear friends in Canada,

A number of us Burmese activists here in Tokyo are assisting two Japanese
human rights lawyers in a comparative study of the refugee policies of
various countries, including Canada.  The purpose of this study is twofold:
(1) to help Burmese refugees here obtain asylum in Japan or a third country
and (2) to educate the Japanese public about the refugee policies of other
nations and at the same time pressure the Japanese authorities to improve
their treatment asylum seekers.  (Amnesty International has published
several reports on the subject, and Mr. Azusawa, the lawyer spearheading
this study, characterizes Japan as an "island prison" for refugees.)

We have been selected to gather information about Canada, and we would very
much appreciate if you would take some time to answer the following questions:  

1.  What are the steps to applying for refugee status in Canada?
2.  How are applicants treated during the application process?   (For
example, can they work or are they provided with any financial or material
assistance?)
3.  About how many people apply for refugee status each year, and about how
many of them are accepted?
4.  How are Burmese applicants treated compared with applicants from other
countries?

Any other information you think would be relevant to this study is also
welcome, including personal experience as either an applicant or as someone
who helped an applicant.  Names and contact information for Canadian
immigration lawyers would also be helpful.  Please respond no later than
March 10, either by e-mail or fax: +81-3-3917-2147.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Aung Thu, Burma Youth Volunteer Association
Carol Schlenker, Burmese Relief Center