Forty People rally to demand the abolition of security certificates

posted on October 10, 2003 | in Category Security Certificates | PermaLink

Source: Coalition for Justice for Adil Charkaoui
[link]


Montreal, 7 October 2003 - About forty people gathered in front of the federal government offices in Montreal (Complexe Guy Favreau) to demand justice for Adil Charkaoui, who has been detained since May 2003 under a security certificate, without any accusation having been formally laid against him.The family, friends and sympathisers all wanted to show their solidarity with Charkaoui, who will be appearing, along with renowned constitutional rights lawyer Julius Grey, tomorrow and Thursday (8 and 9 October) at the Federal Court building, to contest the constitutionality of security certificates. This court appearance is
part of a case launched by the Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM).

Under this section of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, neither the detained nor his lawyer are given access to the full evidence that CSIS presents to the judge to support its allegations. All that CSIS has to do to have someone deported is to show that it has "reasonable grounds" to believe that he is a threat to security.

To Hind Charkaoui, the sister of Adil, the situation is
clearr, "Preventive arrests and deportations legitimised by the Anti-Terrorism Law (C-36) and by security certificates under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act are being used as a threat to push Muslims and Arabs into spying on their communities. For many years, CSIS (the Canadian secret service) has carried out a programme of interviews in the community and intimidates people who often do not dare to denounce the secret service for fear of reprisals."

One of the members of the Coalition for Justice for Adil Charkaoui added, "This process and the way in which these men are treated is a shame for Canada, a country which touts its human rights record. We are not in Guantanamo Bay! This is absolutely unacceptable!

The court appearance will take place on Wednesday and Thursday (8 and 9 October) from 9:30 am, at the Federal Court, 30 McGill Ave., Montreal, room 406. The coalition will be holding a press scrum at 12:00 in front of the court, where many speakers will be available for interviews.

The Justice for Adil Charkaoui Campaign formed in Montreal in a matter of days after his abrupt arrest. The Campaign - an alliance of progressive Muslim groups, refugee & immigrant rights organizations, anti-oppression groups and the Charkaoui family - demands the immediate release of all Security Certificate detainees, no deportations, a fair trial, an immediate end to the "Security Certificate" system, an end to scape-goating in response to American pressure, and an end to the harassment of Muslims and Arabs

Coalition for Justice for Adil Charkaoui
Tel.: (514) 859-9023 Cell : 885-8246 email: [email]
Website: [link]