Original author: Lisa Lisle Source: The Ottawa Sun Date: December 8, 2003 Pen mightier than pen Jailed Harkat writes to wife of reunion

He was arrested at gunpoint, labelled a terrorist, held in solitary confinement for almost a year and has now lost part of his legal team due to death threats. However, Mohamed Harkat remains optimistic about his case and believes there is a higher purpose for all he and his family have endured in the past year. In very personal letters to his wife and most ardent supporter, Sophie, shared exclusively with the Ottawa Sun, Harkat writes about his love and appreciation for her and makes plans for the future -- a future that he believes involves him living as a free man in Canada.

[ Read the rest ... ]

Date: December 10, 2003

Dear Ms. Harkat,

I am sorry I cannot be with you this evening as you mark this sad milestone. As you are aware, New Democrats have grave concerns with the federal government's use of Ministerial certificates that violate the rights of citizens in their so-called defence of our democracy.

All Canadian citizens deserve equal treatment enshrined in our Constitution. Yet the federal government has enacted legislation that opens the door to the rights of certain citizens being violated on the basis of race, religion and place of birth. We cannot allow this to happen in the name of 'national security'.

The words of American Congresswoman, Barbara Lee who alone voted against George Bush's war escalation seem more apt and sobering than ever:

"IN THE ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT TERRORISM, LET US NOT BECOME THE ENEMIES WE DEPLORE".

New Democrats will continue to defend the rights of all Canadians.

Sincerely,

Alexa McDonough
MP Halifax NDP
Foreign Affairs Critic, Lead Peace Advocate

Auteur: Robert Marois Date: 10 décembre 2003 Deux Poèmes de Robert Marois Auteur: Robert Marois Date: 10 décembre 2003

Ces poèmes n apportent pas de réponse la guerre contre le terrorisme. Ils veulent simplement rappeler tous et toutes qu une telle guerre ne peut se faire sans victimes innocentes et que la propagande haineuse qui l accompagne vise museler l opinion publique en laissant croire que nous sommes entourés de d êtres dangereux qu il faut éliminer par tous les moyens. Poème silencieux

Seulement quelques lignes pour expliquer pourquoi. Parce que durant sa courte existence il n a pas trouvé les mots pour décrire l humiliation. Personne ne l a compris. Cet enfant qui jouait la guerre dans la guerre s amusait-il? Ce n était peut-être que le sourire de la misère? Pouvait-il bénir la terre lorsqu elle lui glissait sous les pieds?

[ Read the rest ... ]

HERE
are the transcripts to the Subcommittee on National Security of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, September 24 2003. Ward Elcock the director of CSIS is asked questions by federal MPs about the security certificate process. IMO, he was treated with kid gloves by all in attendance including Lorne Nystrom of the NDP the only political party that has even taken notice of the plight of security certificate detainees.

Also present were reps. from Citizenship and Immigration, the Solicitor General's Office, and the RCMP.

[ Read the rest ... ]

Original Author: Matthew Behrens, tasc at web dot ca
Date: Aug 17, 2003

Did you know the government of Canada, using a "security certificate" can declare any refugee or permanent resident a threat to Canada, have them arrested, held without charge or bail, and not allow either that person or their lawyer to see the "evidence" (the basis of a secret trial)?

Did you know on the basis of a secret trial, in which neither you nor your lawyer can see the evidence, you can then be deported to a country where you will likely be arrested, tortured, and murdered?

[ Read the rest ... ]

Original author: Francine Dumas Source: Report-Back d'evenement 31 octobre Date: Novembre 2003 Le SCRS démasqué

Le 31 octobre 2003, environ 75 personnes ont manifesté devant le quartier général du Service Canadien de Sécurité et du Renseignement (SCRS) près d'Ottawa. Les manifestants venaient d'Ottawa, de Gatineau, de Toronto et d'autres villes du Sud-Ouest de l'Ontario, et de Montréal pour exiger l'abolition des certificats de sécurité et la libération de cinq hommes musulmans qui sont présentement détenus sans accusation sur la base de « preuves » secrètes selon lesquelles ils représenteraient une « menace à la sécurité nationale du Canada ». Ces hommes sont Mohammed Mahjoub (emprisonné depuis juin 2000), Mahmoud Jaballah (depuis août 2001), Hassan Almrei (octobre 2001), Mohamed Harkat (décembre 2002) et Adil Charkaoui (mai 2003). Ils peuvent être déportés dans leurs pays d'origine où ils risquent la torture et la mort et ils ne savent même pas ce qui leur est reproché.

[ Read the rest ... ]

photo courtesy of [link] Protesters Trick-or-Treat Across Canada as CSIS, RCMP Play Hide and Don't Seek 70-year-old Resisters Help Lead the Way in 10 Cities During National Day of Action to Stop Secret Trials in Canada Five Arrested as Costumed Crusaders Demand CSIS, RCMP Stop Terrorizing Canada's Arabic, Middle Eastern, South Asian and Muslim Communities A report from Matthew Behrens of the Campaign to Stop Secret Trials in Canada) Read Behren's report HERE

Date: November 1 2003
Original author: Shunpiking Magazine
Source: [link]
URL: [link]

Halifax -- Twenty five people vigorously picketed the CSIS office, Maritime Centre, Halifax, for one hour on the afternoon of October 31st as part of the National Day of Action to Stop Secret Trails in Canada.


[ Read the rest ... ]

Source: CTV.ca
URL: [link]
Date: Oct 31 2003

Four people have been charged following a demonstration outside CSIS headquarters in Ottawa. The protesters were rallying against the security certificates used to arrest five Muslim men currently being held behind bars.



[ Read the rest ... ]

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.

[ Read the rest ... ]