'They're going to kill me,' says asylum seeker
An Iranian national who's spent more than five weeks living in an East Vancouver church is defending his right to sanctuary.
- INDEPTH: The Church as Sanctuary
Thirty-nine-year-old Amir Kazemian was ordered out of Canada last month after losing his final refugee appeal.
But instead of returning to his homeland, he sought refuge at St. Michael's Anglican Church.
Federal Immigration Minister Judy Sgro said on Sunday "no one is exempt from the law," and that churches should stop offering sanctuary to people who face deportation.
- FROM JULY 25, 2004: Sgro wants churches to scrap sanctuary for illegals
But Kazemian says the church's sanctuary is a matter of life and death in his case.
"They're going to kill me. I've been tortured in my country," he says. "My father as well. We have a very political family."
Kazemian says churches in Canada are selective in offering sanctuary, and don't open their doors to all refugees.
"This is just for my type of situation very critical and very serious," he says.
- FROM JULY 26, 2004: Sgro rapped for stand on church sanctuaries
Kazemian doesn't know how long he will stay at St. Michael's, but says he's hopes the immigration minister will personally review his case.