Postalworkers union against security certificates

posted on March 24, 2004 | in Category Security Certificates | PermaLink

Original author: Debora Bourque, National President
of Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)
Source: Coalition Justice pour Adil Charakoui
Date: March 24, 2004


March 24, 2004

FAX: 992-4284
E-mail: [email]

Right Honourable Paul Martin Prime Minister of Canada House
of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

On behalf of the 55,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, I am writing to express our deep concern over the imprisonment of Adil Charkaoui and four other Muslim men - Mohammad Mahjoub, Mahmoud Jaballah, Hassan Almrei and Mohamed Harkat. All five men have been imprisoned for months and even years without charge, on the basis of evidence that neither they nor their lawyers are allowed to see. They face deportation to their countries of origin where, according to Amnesty International, it is probable that they will suffer further violations of their rights, such as torture - just like Maher Arar.

The security certificate procedure violates the fundamental rules of justice and constitutes an unacceptable attack on rights and freedoms, which include the right to a full defence and a fair and just trial.

CUPW is completely opposed to sacrificing rights and freedoms in the name of national security. If intelligence services have a case against these men, they should lay formal charges so that the five have access to a just and fair trial, including complete access to information being used against them, which they required to prepare a full defence.

CUPW strongly urges you to take immediate and effective action to ensure that these five men are immediately released or formally charged, security certificates are abolished and deportations to countries where torture is used are ended.

Sincerely,

Deborah Bourque, National President.


CC: Judy Sgro, Minister of Immigration
(fax 947-8319 - e-mail: Sgro.J @parl.gc.ca)

Ken Georgetti, President, CLC

National Executive Committee,
National Union Representatives and Specialists, CUPW