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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) deported on Sunday, September 15 a Canadian activist who participated in a protest during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.
According to BI spokesperson Maan Pedro, Kim Chatillon-Meunier, a 24-year-old Canadian student, boarded the 8:30 PM Philippine Airlines flight bound for Vancouver, Canada.
On Friday, September 13, Meunier was stopped by BI officials at the immigration counter in the NAIA Terminal 3 and prevented from boarding her 7:00 PM Hong Kong bound flight. She was later detained at the BI detention center in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.
According to the BI, Meunier had been on the bureau’s watchlist for engaging in political activity – a violation of her visa conditions.
Human rights group Karapatan denounced Meunier’s detention, demanding respect for her rights and her immediate release.
“Karapatan condemns this blatant harassment and violation of rights. Like what the BI and the Aquino administration did to Dutch activist Thomas van Beersum, they are violating Chatillon’s fundamental right to free expression and her right to study and support human rights issues in the Philippines,” Karapatan Secretary General Tinay Palabay said on Saturday.
Meunier was released from the detention center on Sunday afternoon and was escorted to the airport.
Palabay told Rappler that Meunier was considered deported and was cleared to leave the Philippines. – Rappler.com
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