Halt Imminent Deportation of Youth Climate Defender in Canada, Says Global Climate Legal Defense
NEW YORK, NY (January 24, 2025) – Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef) is calling on the Canadian government to halt the imminent deportation of Zain Haq, a 24-year-old Vancouver-based and Pakistani-born climate defender.
Haq is facing deportation on January 25th due to his revoked immigration status. His case is tied to criminal convictions for non-violent protests regarding Canada’s climate policy.
If the deportation proceeds, Haq will be one of the first people in North America removed from a country because of his climate activism. In Canada, the right to freedom of expression applies to citizens and non-citizens. It has been judicially recognized as fundamental to democracy in the country.
“There is no doubt that as the world is heating up, governments are increasingly suppressing free speech in Western liberal democracies. Instead of chipping away at democratic decline like many of its colleagues, Canada can change course starting with Zain Haq’s case,” said Betsy Apple, co-founder and Executive Director of CliDef. “Climate defenders like Zain are the energetic leaders that Canada should extend a hand to, rather than repress or deport. We call on the Canadian government to defend its core values and halt the imminent deportation of Zain Haq.”
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About CliDef
Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef) emboldens climate defenders to act by providing legal support. We offer legal advice, coordination, and funds for legal defense and strengthen a community of diverse lawyers and legal organizations to serve the climate movement. To learn more, please visit our website: www.climatelegaldefense.org
Media Contact: hello@climatelegaldefense.org