Original author: Sheema Khan
Source: [link] (subscribers only)
URL: The Globe and Mail
Date: September 2, 2005


Clifford Olson. Paul Bernardo. Michael Briere. Names that evoke loathing. It seems that our justice system is doing its job by finding the suspects, laying charges, trying the accused in open court, and confining the guilty to prison. Built into the judicial process is the opportunity for adversarial review -- a system of checks and balances to minimize human biases and errors.

Now consider these five names: Hassan Almrei. Adil Charkaoui. Mohamed Zeki Mahjoub. Mahmoud Jaballah. Mohamed Harkat. All are non-citizens, Arab and Muslim. They, too, are behind bars. For murder? Terrorism? Pedophilia?

Investor fraud?

Actually, we don't know. Neither do they. None has yet to be charged with committing any crime. Our government and its security agencies -- paragons of transparency and trust -- have deemed each a threat to national security. According to the law, the government has the right to put each behind bars indefinitely, until he can be deported or charged. Furthermore, he has no right to see the evidence against him, due to "national security" -- that catch-all phrase invoked in the name of justice. The men are held in solitary confinement, or incarcerated with hardened criminals, without the right to appeal.

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