by Jo Wood Source: The Ottawa Citizen, letters to the editor URL: [link] Date: September 12, 2008 Re: Birthday party turns into rally for Harkat, Sept. 7

Those of us looking forward to celebrating Mohammed Harkat's 40th birthday were outraged when Canada Border Services Agency refused to let Mr. Harkat attend because the potluck would be "political." First, it was not a political event (unless fundraising for his dental work is political). Second, why shouldn't he attend political events? What is the security risk? There seems to be no end to the ways in which border services agency attempts to make the Harkats' life as miserable as possible. Jo Wood Ottawa © The Ottawa Citizen 2008

by "TASC"
Source: Secrettrials-org Email List
URL: N/A
Date: September 15, 2008


List of shame: MPs who voted for two-tier justice, deportation to torture and indefinite detention

Below is a list of shame, individuals who voted in Parliament on 6 February 2008 for secret trials, two-tier justice, indefinite detention without charge, invasive surveillance and control orders, and deportation to torture. Note that many Liberals, who had the choice to vote no or abstain, chose to vote yes. Among those who will still try to campaign on the "we love the Charter" hypocrisy are Navdeep Bains, Carolyn Bennett, Irwin Cotler, Michael Ignatieff, Sue Barnes, Dan McTeague, and many others.

Abbott
Ablonczy
Albrecht
Allen
Allison
Ambrose
Anders
Anderson
Bagnell
Bains
Baird
Barnes
Batters
Bélanger

MORE --->

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Source: International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group
URL: N/A
Date: September 14, 2008


International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG) Individual
UPR Submission – Canada, February 2009

Submission of Information by the ICLMG to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in relation to the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Canada to take place in February 2009

Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Laws in Violation of International Human Rights Standards

The ICLMG

1. The ICLMG is a pan-Canadian coalition of civil society organizations that was established in the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack in the United States. The coalition brings together 38 international development and human rights NGO’s, unions, professional associations, faith groups, environmental and refugee organizations. Its purpose is to monitor the impact of anti-terrorism legislation on human rights standards, to advocate against abuses and violations, and in certain cases, to take up the cause of those who have become innocent victims of such abuses.

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Thanks to Bill Clennett for producing this video of the birthday party for Mo, held in Ottawa on September 6th, 2008. This is only Part 1, All three parts can be viewed at Youtube.com. Links below. Part 1 - [link] Part 2 - [link] Part 3 - [link]

par Louis-Denis Ébacher
Source: Le Droit
URL: [link] (subscribers only)
Date: 8 septembre 2008


[PHOTO: Sophie Harkat à côté d’une chaise vide symbolisant l’absence de son mari Mohamed à la célébration de son anniversaire. Martin Roy, LeDroit]

Les proches de Mohamed Harkat ont souligné sa fête malgré son absence, accusant les autorités canadiennes de gâcher la partie.

Sa femme, Sophie, voulait célébrer le 40e anniversaire de M. Harkat dans le sous-sol de l’Église de l’Ascension, à Ottawa, pour y accueillir la quarantaine de proches et de membres de la famille. « L’Agence des services frontaliers a refusé la permission à Mohamed de participer à sa propre fête parce qu’elle craignait que ce soit une fête à saveur politique », explique-t-elle devant un gâteau de fête et une chaise vide, symbolisant l’absence de son conjoint.

Mohamed Harkat est détenu dans sa résidence d’Ottawa en vertu d’un certificat de sécurité. Le gouvernement le soupçonne d’activités terroristes et le confine à résidence. Ses quelques sorties hebdomadaires doivent être annoncées à l’avance et son bracelet de positionnement global par satellite (GPS) doit être porté en tout temps. Or, les preuves contre lui n’ont jamais été rendues publiques. « Est-ce que tout cela a l’air politique ? », se questionne Sophie Harkat devant les crudités et les boissons gazeuses. « Nous n’aurions jamais invité les médias si la permission nous avait été accordée. Nous voulions une fête intime, sans politique, rajoute la conjointe du détenu. Ce sont les autorités qui ont rendu cette affaire politique en refusant à Mohamed de participer à sa propre fête. »

Mohamed Harkat a finalement pu assister à sa fête, après tout le monde, en visionnant la vidéo tournée pour lui samedi dernier. Il s’est adressé aux gens présents via un enregistrement audio. « Je veux que les Canadiens connaissent la vérité par un procès juste. En attendant, essayez de vous amuser à mon anniversaire. »

Copyright © 2000-2008 Cyberpresse Inc., une filiale de Gesca. Tous droits réservés.


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By Cristin Schmitz
Source: Lawyer's Weekly Magazine
URL: [link]
Date: September 12, 2008


Canada’s revamped security certificate legislation is under Charter attack by the very lawyers the government hoped would ensure the new law’s constitutionality and credibility — the special advocates.

In an ironic twist of events, two court-appointed special advocates have filed affidavits in Federal Court complaining that they will not be able to properly defend the interests of security certificate detainees at upcoming closed-door judicial reviews which will determine whether secret government evidence proves that the detainees are threats to national security.

The special advocates for three of the five men currently held under security certificates, Gordon Cameron of Ottawa’s Blake Cassels & Graydon and Paul Cavalluzzo of Toronto’s Cavalluzzo Hayes, point to what they contend are overly broad gag rules in s. 85 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

The senior counsel say the gags drastically constrain their communications far beyond what is justifiably necessary to protect the confidentiality of sensitive government information.

[ Read the rest ... ]

Here is a short audio message that Mohamed Harkat recorded which was played at his birthday party yesterday in his absence:


AUDIO: Message From Mohamed Harkat (Sept 6, 2008)

by Jon Willing Source: The Ottawa Sun URL: [link] Date: September 7, 2008 Lawyer admits frustration as client celebrates 40th birthday

The newest member of Team Harkat is no stranger to fighting tough legal battles, but even this one has Norman Boxall feeling like his hands are tied. "It's the most frustrating thing I've ever been asked to be involved in," the lawyer said yesterday at a 40th birthday party for Mohamed Harkat, the accused al-Qaida operative being monitored under a national security certificate. "You aren't permitted to do what a lawyer normally does," Boxall said. Boxall only joined Harkat's legal team two months ago and is already seeing the challenges of defending someone without knowing the complete details of the allegations. The feds earlier this year appointed a group of special advocates to protect the rights of those bound by security certificates, but personal lawyers are not privy to the information disclosed to the advocates. STAGE UNKNOWN

For that reason, no one really knows what stage Harkat's case is at. Boxall said a closed hearing might be scheduled next week, but he doesn't know where it is, when it is or what's supposed to be discussed. Harkat continues to live under strict bail conditions in Ottawa. The feds didn't clear Harkat to attend his own birthday party at Church of the Ascension, between Colonel By Dr. and Main St. His wife Sophie, who will turn 34 on Sept. 17, said Harkat last night was with her mother for a "pre-approved outing at a pre-approved location." About 50 people showed up for Harkat's birthday party and they left an empty chair in the middle of the room with his picture surrounded by streamers and balloons. Supporters were miffed that Harkat, who turned 40 on Aug. 6, wasn't permitted at his own party. "What do you gain by this? You gain creating a little more hardship for this guy," said Karen Markle, 46. Copyright © 2007, Canoe Inc. All rights reserved.

by Jennifer Campbell Source: The Ottawa Citizen URL: [link] Date: September 07, 2008 Supporters speak out after agency denies terror suspect permission to attend potluck The birthday boy thanked the assembled crowd for coming out to a party he couldn't attend.

Ottawa terror suspect Mohammed Harkat, who was released under strict conditions after having spent four years in jail under a security certificate, wasn't allowed to attend his own birthday party because the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which is responsible for monitoring Mr. Harkat's movements, said it would be a political gathering and that contravenes the conditions of his release. That came as a surprise to his wife, Sophie, who said they've received permission to attend potlucks together in the past. Under Mr. Harkat's conditions, they must make their outing requests 48 hours in advance. "It's a sad day for injustice in this country when the birthday boy can't attend his own party," Ms. Harkat said. So while friends and supporters gathered at a church on Echo Drive for what did end up being a political party -- but only after he was denied permission to attend -- Mr. Harkat spent the evening with his mother-in-law and his nine-year-old niece. He did, however, send a recorded message in his place. "It's a shame and a disappointment that I'm not able to attend," the former pizza delivery man and gas-station attendant said in the recording. "The struggle continues for my family and I.

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by Sun Media Source: The Ottawa Sun URL: [link] Date: September 5, 2008 Ottawa man held on Security Certificate under strict house arrest

Mohamed Harkat has been barred from attending his own 40th birthday party by the Canadian Border Services Agency. (File photo) Terror suspect Mohamed Harkat has been denied permission to attend his own 40th birthday party in an Ottawa church by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), his supporters say. The party is planned for Saturday at 5 p.m. at The Church of the Ascension. The Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee, in response, is opening up the party to all supporters. Supporters of Harkat, being held under strict house arrest on a terror-related Security Certificate issued by federal authorities, say every effort was made to comply with the conditions of his bail - which are among the toughest in Canadian history. The guest list was restricted to those already approved by CBSA for home visits, the venue was an Anglican church, and every effort was made to maintain a low profile for the event. All the court-appointed supervising sureties were going to attend. Despite these precautions taken by the Harkats, Canadian Border Services denied the outing on the grounds that the event would be too political. "It was going to be a birthday party. We have family and friends from all over, even from out of town, for this special occasion, people bringing food, and some music lined up. But there wasn't going to be speeches or anything political," said Harkat's wife Sophie. "We bent over backwards to do everything to comply with the court's control order on my husband. We really wanted this to be a fun, memorable evening for Moe." Sophie Harkat says the birthday party will go ahead anyway, even though the guest of honour will be at home. Organizers say the refusal to let Mohamed Harkat attend is creating exactly the type of situation the CBSA wanted to avoid -- that it has now taken on a distinctly political tone. Those in attendance will place an empty chair in the middle of the room to symbolize Harkat's absence. Copyright © 2007, Canoe Inc. All rights reserved.