Date: 20040831
Docket: IMM-4949-04
Citation: 2004 FC 1188
Ottawa, Ontario, this 31st day of August, 2004
Present: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MAX M. TEITELBAUM
BETWEEN:
RAISSA KOTKOVA
Applicant
and
THE MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP
AND IMMIGRATION
Respondent
REASONS FOR ORDER AND ORDER
[1] This is an Application for Leave and Judicial Review of a decision of the Refugee Protection Division dated the 24th day of November, 2003, and received by the Applicant on the 4th day of December, 2003, in which Board member, Rocco Famiglietti decided that the Applicant is not a Convention refugee and does not have the quality of a person in need of protection.
[2] In addition, the Applicant applies to allow an extension of time under paragraph 72(2)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act).
[3] The present Application was filed with the office of the Court on June 1, 2004, outside the delay provided for by the Act.
[4] It is extremely rare that reasons are given for deciding an Application for Leave and Judicial Review. In certain special occasions, such as the present one, reasons are necessary.
[5] In the present case, the Applicant, Raissa Kotkova, a 67 year old Russian citizen, is claiming a fear of persecution on the basis that she is Jewish and, as a result, requires protection (see Board decision, page 1).
[6] The Applicant's claim for refugee status was denied for a number of reasons.
[7] In reading the decision of the Board member, he states in part:
Je conclus, que la demanderesse d'asile n'a pas la qualité de réfugié au sens de la Convention dans la mesure où elle ne craint pas d'être persécuté pour son appartenance à un groupe social particulier en Russie, ni pour sa nationalité juive. Je conclus également qu'elle n'a pas la qualité de personne à protéger dans la mesure où son renvoi en Russie ne l'exposerait pas personnellement à une menace à sa vie ou au risque de traitements ou de peines cruels et inusités en Russie. Mes raisons sont les suivantes.
[...]
La revendicatrice base sa revendication sur sa nationalité Juive. Son fils aurait aussi déjà demandé le statut de réfugié et avait basé sa demande sur sa nationalité juive. Sa demande aurait été refusée, à la suite de quoi il se serait rendu au Mexique, endroit où la revendicatrice l'aurait rejoint. La revendicatrice allègue qu'elle aurait toujours eu des problèmes à cause de sa nationalité. Questionné à savoir si elle pratiquait la religion, les coutumes ou connaissait la langue, la revendicatrice a répondu par la négative. La revendicatrice connaissait très peu de détails sur la communauté Juive de sa région. De plus, la revendicatrice en apparence, ne semble pas Juive et elle-même a admis que ses traits physiques n'indiquent pas qu'elle est Juive. (underlining mine)
[8] In his reasons, on page 4, the Board member quotes from the case of Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration) v. Villafranca, [1992] F.C.J. No. 1189 (F.C.A.) (QL), a decision dated December 18, 1992, where he states:
Aucun gouvernement qui professe des valeurs démocratiques ou affirme son respect des droits de la personne ne peut garantir la protection de chacun de ses citoyens en tout temps. (No government that makes any claim to democratic values or protection of human rights can guarantee the protection of all of its citizens at all times).
[9] Let me first state that I am not convinced that Russia is a free and democratic state in its dealing with its Russian population, but this alone is not the reason why the Board member's decision cannot be left to stand.
[10] In addition, I do not understand the Board member's comment when he states: "De plus, la revendicatrice en apparence ne semble pas juive". What does a Jewish person look like? Perhaps Mr. Famiglietti can inform me.
[11] This statement by the Board member clearly indicates a reasonable apprehension of bias.
[12] This reasonable apprehension of bias is sufficient for me to allow the Application for Leave and Judicial Review. A hearing date will be set by the Judicial Administrator. The Application for Extension of Time is also allowed.
ORDER
THIS COURT ORDERS that Application for Leave and Judicial Review is allowed. A hearing date will be set by the Judicial Administrator. The Application for Extension of Time is also allowed.
"Max M. Teitelbaum"
Judge
FEDERAL COURT
NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD
DOCKET: IMM-4949-04
STYLE OF CAUSE : RAISSA KOTKOVA and
MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP AND
IMMIGRATION
APPLICATION FOR LEAVE AND FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW DEALT WITHOUT THE APPEARANCE OF THE PARTIES
REASONS FOR ORDER THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE
AND ORDER BY: MAX M. TEITELBAUM
WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS BY :
Andrea C. Snizynsky FOR THE APPLICANT
Claudia Gagnon FOR THE RESPONDENT
Gretchen Timmins
SOLICITORS OF RECORD :
Andrea C. Snizynsky FOR APPLICANT
Montreal, Quebec
Morris Rosenberg FOR RESPONDENT
Deputy Attorney General of Canada
Montreal, Quebec