No One Is Illegal- Ottawa fully supports the following statement originally drafted by the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee (en francais ci-dessous) in relation to the violent arrest of Mohamed Harkat yesterday afternoon.
MOHAMED HARKAT, SECURITY CERTIFICATE DETAINEE UNJUSTLY ARRESTED IN OTTAWA
What happened:
Mohamed Harkat was arrested Tuesday afternoon by Ottawa police accompanied by Canadian Border Services agents at his home in Ottawa. CBSA alleges that Mohamed Harkat breached his bail conditions. In fact, no breach occurred. The crown has 48 hours to bring him before a federal court judge. Mohamed Harkat is also already scheduled to appear in court next week to argue for changes in his bail conditions.
Statement from the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee
1. There was no breach of Mohamed Harkat's bail conditions. This, despite the conditions imposed being the toughest in Canadian history.
2. The arrest's timing was highly questionable given the facts: a) Mohamed Harkat's bail is up for review next week; b) Bill C-3, the new Security Certificates law, is being debated this week in the House of Commons. This arrest could only have happened by order of a cabinet Minister – which was confirmed to Mohamed Harkat by CBSA officials. It also occurred on the eve of Adil Charkaoui's Supreme Court appeal.
3. The arrest constitutes harassment in the context of an unconstitutional law.
4. The Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee continues to call for release or a fair trial for the five Security Certificate detainees.
**
Déclaration du Comité Justice pour Mohamed Harkat
1. Il n'y a eu aucun bris des conditions de libération de Mohamed Harkat. Ceci en dépit du fait que les conditions qui lui ont été imposées sont les plus strictes jamais vues au Canada.
2. Le moment de cette arrestation est très douteux étant donné que : a) Ses conditions de « libération » seront l'objet d'une audience la semaine prochaine; b) Le projet de loi C-3, la nouvelle loi sur les Certificats de sécurité, est débatue à la Chambre des communes cette semaine. Cette arrestation ne pouvait survenir que sur ordre d'un Ministre fédéral – ce qui a été confirmé à Mohamed Harkat par des agents de l'ASFC. L'arrestation s'est également produite juste avant l'appel de Adil Charkaoui devant la Cour suprême.
3. Cet arrestation constitue une tactique de harcèlement dans le contexte d'une loi qui a été déclarée inconstitutionnelle.
4. Le Comité Justice pour Mohamed Harkat continue d'appeler à la libération ou à un procès équitable pour les cinq détenus des Certificats de sécurité.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Mohamed Harkat Arrested
For Immediate Release - January 29, 2008
Harkat supporters react with to shock to unjust arrest
Ottawa – Supporters of Mohamed Harkat reacted with shock to his unexpected and unjustified arrest Tuesday.
"It was just your average day. Moe was in the shower when our house was invaded by members of the Ottawa Police and Canadian Border Services Agency," said Sophie Harkat, wife of Mohamed Harkat.
"They took him away and now our nightmare has returned."
Mohamed and Sophie Harkat and the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee strongly deny that there was a breach of Mr. Harkat's bail conditions as CBSA alleges. The Harkat family has complied to the letter with all the conditions imposed – which are the toughest in Canadian history.
"Mohamed's bail conditions are being reviewed by the federal court next Monday. In addition, MPs are currently debating a new – but likely unconstitutional – Security Certificate law this week," said Kevin Skerrett of the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee.
"It is clear to us that this unjustified arrest was a calculated move by the government. According to statements by CBSA officials, the arrest order was signed by a Cabinet Minister."
The members of the committee agree with Sophie Harkat when she says: "This arrest is harassment – pure and simple!"
For more information:
Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee
Christain Legeais 613-276-9102
Kevin Skerrett 613-864-1590
Legal advisors
Matthew Webber 613-235-9779
Paul Copeland 416-964-8126 ext. 142
Harkat supporters react with to shock to unjust arrest
Ottawa – Supporters of Mohamed Harkat reacted with shock to his unexpected and unjustified arrest Tuesday.
"It was just your average day. Moe was in the shower when our house was invaded by members of the Ottawa Police and Canadian Border Services Agency," said Sophie Harkat, wife of Mohamed Harkat.
"They took him away and now our nightmare has returned."
Mohamed and Sophie Harkat and the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee strongly deny that there was a breach of Mr. Harkat's bail conditions as CBSA alleges. The Harkat family has complied to the letter with all the conditions imposed – which are the toughest in Canadian history.
"Mohamed's bail conditions are being reviewed by the federal court next Monday. In addition, MPs are currently debating a new – but likely unconstitutional – Security Certificate law this week," said Kevin Skerrett of the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee.
"It is clear to us that this unjustified arrest was a calculated move by the government. According to statements by CBSA officials, the arrest order was signed by a Cabinet Minister."
The members of the committee agree with Sophie Harkat when she says: "This arrest is harassment – pure and simple!"
For more information:
Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee
Christain Legeais 613-276-9102
Kevin Skerrett 613-864-1590
Legal advisors
Matthew Webber 613-235-9779
Paul Copeland 416-964-8126 ext. 142
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Demonstration against CSIS impunity/Manifestation contre l'impunité du SCRS
DEMONSTRATION against CSIS impunity
No to security certificates, No to C-3! End CSIS criminalization, profiling and harassment of refugees and
immigrants!
Thursday, 31 January, 12:15pm-- Rally in front of the Supreme Court (301 Wellington Street), OTTAWA
Just as it was recently discovered that the CIA destroyed records, it was revealed in 2005 that CSIS destroyed evidence in the file of security certificate detainee Adil Charkaoui. On January 31st, Charkaoui will be challenging the legality of the destruction of evidence in his file by CSIS at the Supreme Court.
The case will expose some of the weakness of the "evidence" CSIS uses in security certificate and similar cases: hearsay, rumours, unproven information from foreign spy agencies, and information obtained under torture. This information can be as tenuous as CSIS assessments of foreign intelligence agencies assessments of informers' unconfirmed allegations.
On the basis of such flimsy - and secret - information, immigrants can and have been refused entry to Canada, kept in legal limbo for decades ("security delayed"), put under surveillance, held under house arrest, imprisoned, deported, and even handed over to torture.
If it passes, Bill C-3, the "new" security certificate law, will continue to allow the government to use such information to justify indefinite detention, house arrest and deportation to torture. This information will still be withheld from the detainee, the detainee's lawyer, and the public, while CSIS will not be obligated to disclose all of its file even to the judge. In other words, C-3 will provide legal cover for CSIS to continue racial profiling and other abusive behaviours with impunity.
Join us on 31 January to denounce the actions of CSIS and its role in the criminalization, racial profiling and harassment of immigrants and targeted communities.
More information on CSIS: www.adilinfo.org/?q=en/node/170. Analysis of C-3: www.adilinfo.org/?q=en/node/232
---------------------------------------
Coalition Justice for Adil Charkaoui
www.adilinfo.org
justiceforadil@riseup.net
tel. 514 848 7583
Join our mailing list: justiceforadil-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
WWW.ADILINFO.ORG
Manifestation contre l'impunité du SCRS !
Non aux certificats de sécurité, non au C-3 !
Non à la criminalisation, au profilage et au harcèlement des réfugiés et des immigrants par le SCRS !
Tout comme il a été récemment découvert que la CIA avait détruit des preuves, on a découvert en 2005 que le SCRS avait détruit des éléments de preuves dans le dossier d'Adil Charkaoui, détenu en vertu d'un certificat de sécurité. Le 31 janvier, Charkaoui contestera la légalité cette bavure du SCRS devant la Cour suprême.
Cette audience sera l'occasion d'exposer certaines des faiblesses de la "preuve " utilisée par le SCRS : ouï-dire, rumeurs, profilage, information non prouvée obtenue par des agences d'espionnage étrangères, et informations obtenues sous la torture. Cette information peut être aussi ténue que des évaluations par le SCRS des évaluations par des services secrets étrangers d'allégations non confirmées faites par des informateurs.
Sur la base d'information aussi ténue - et secrète - , on refuse l'entrée au pays à des immigrants, on les maintient dans l'incertitude pendant des décennies (retardé pour des raisons de sécurité), on les met sous surveillance, en assignation à résidence, en prison, on les déporte et on les renvoie même vers la torture.
Si la loi C3 est adoptée, le gouvernement pourra continuer de se baser sur de tels renseignements afin de justifier la détention indéfinie ou l'assignation à résidence et la déportation vers la torture. De plus, cette information sera cachée au détenu, à son avocat et au public et le SCRS ne sera pas tenu de dévoiler tout son dossier, et ce, même au juge. En d'autres
mots, C3 fournira au SCRS le cadre légal avec le profilage et d'autres comportements abusifs en toute impunité.
Joignez-vous à nous le 31 janvier pour dénoncer les actions du SCRS et son rôle dans la criminalisation, le profilage racial et le harcèlement des immigrants et des communautés ciblées.
Plus d'information sur le SCRS : www.adilinfo.org/?q=en/node/170
Analyse du Projet C-3 : www.adilinfo.org/?q=fr/node/243
---------------------------------------
Coalition Justice pour Adil Charkaoui
www.adilinfo.org
justiceforadil@riseup.net
No to security certificates, No to C-3! End CSIS criminalization, profiling and harassment of refugees and
immigrants!
Thursday, 31 January, 12:15pm-- Rally in front of the Supreme Court (301 Wellington Street), OTTAWA
Just as it was recently discovered that the CIA destroyed records, it was revealed in 2005 that CSIS destroyed evidence in the file of security certificate detainee Adil Charkaoui. On January 31st, Charkaoui will be challenging the legality of the destruction of evidence in his file by CSIS at the Supreme Court.
The case will expose some of the weakness of the "evidence" CSIS uses in security certificate and similar cases: hearsay, rumours, unproven information from foreign spy agencies, and information obtained under torture. This information can be as tenuous as CSIS assessments of foreign intelligence agencies assessments of informers' unconfirmed allegations.
On the basis of such flimsy - and secret - information, immigrants can and have been refused entry to Canada, kept in legal limbo for decades ("security delayed"), put under surveillance, held under house arrest, imprisoned, deported, and even handed over to torture.
If it passes, Bill C-3, the "new" security certificate law, will continue to allow the government to use such information to justify indefinite detention, house arrest and deportation to torture. This information will still be withheld from the detainee, the detainee's lawyer, and the public, while CSIS will not be obligated to disclose all of its file even to the judge. In other words, C-3 will provide legal cover for CSIS to continue racial profiling and other abusive behaviours with impunity.
Join us on 31 January to denounce the actions of CSIS and its role in the criminalization, racial profiling and harassment of immigrants and targeted communities.
More information on CSIS: www.adilinfo.org/?q=en/node/170. Analysis of C-3: www.adilinfo.org/?q=en/node/232
---------------------------------------
Coalition Justice for Adil Charkaoui
www.adilinfo.org
justiceforadil@riseup.net
tel. 514 848 7583
Join our mailing list: justiceforadil-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
WWW.ADILINFO.ORG
Manifestation contre l'impunité du SCRS !
Non aux certificats de sécurité, non au C-3 !
Non à la criminalisation, au profilage et au harcèlement des réfugiés et des immigrants par le SCRS !
Tout comme il a été récemment découvert que la CIA avait détruit des preuves, on a découvert en 2005 que le SCRS avait détruit des éléments de preuves dans le dossier d'Adil Charkaoui, détenu en vertu d'un certificat de sécurité. Le 31 janvier, Charkaoui contestera la légalité cette bavure du SCRS devant la Cour suprême.
Cette audience sera l'occasion d'exposer certaines des faiblesses de la "preuve " utilisée par le SCRS : ouï-dire, rumeurs, profilage, information non prouvée obtenue par des agences d'espionnage étrangères, et informations obtenues sous la torture. Cette information peut être aussi ténue que des évaluations par le SCRS des évaluations par des services secrets étrangers d'allégations non confirmées faites par des informateurs.
Sur la base d'information aussi ténue - et secrète - , on refuse l'entrée au pays à des immigrants, on les maintient dans l'incertitude pendant des décennies (retardé pour des raisons de sécurité), on les met sous surveillance, en assignation à résidence, en prison, on les déporte et on les renvoie même vers la torture.
Si la loi C3 est adoptée, le gouvernement pourra continuer de se baser sur de tels renseignements afin de justifier la détention indéfinie ou l'assignation à résidence et la déportation vers la torture. De plus, cette information sera cachée au détenu, à son avocat et au public et le SCRS ne sera pas tenu de dévoiler tout son dossier, et ce, même au juge. En d'autres
mots, C3 fournira au SCRS le cadre légal avec le profilage et d'autres comportements abusifs en toute impunité.
Joignez-vous à nous le 31 janvier pour dénoncer les actions du SCRS et son rôle dans la criminalisation, le profilage racial et le harcèlement des immigrants et des communautés ciblées.
Plus d'information sur le SCRS : www.adilinfo.org/?q=en/node/170
Analyse du Projet C-3 : www.adilinfo.org/?q=fr/node/243
---------------------------------------
Coalition Justice pour Adil Charkaoui
www.adilinfo.org
justiceforadil@riseup.net
International Day of Action- 2 Years Too Many!
No One Is Illegal-Ottawa supports Kader.
On January 18th, 2008, No One Is Illegal-Ottawa participated in the International Day of Action for Kader (read info below). NOII-Ottawa organized a demo in front of the CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) national office in downtown Ottawa.
On January 18th, 2008 hundreds of supporters of Abdelkader Belaouni (Kader) in Montreal, across Canada and internationally joined together in sending a loud and clear message to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley — immediately grant him permanent residence status in Canada. The 40-year old blind Algerian refugee has been living in church sanctuary in the neighborhood of Point St-Charles, Montreal since January 1st, 2006 after his applications to remain in Canada were rejected in a series of unjust decisions and he was threatened with deportation from Canada.
On Friday, as Kader entered his 748th day within the confines of the presbytery of St-Gabriel's Church, over 100 supporters in Montreal marched from Phillips Square through the underground to the offices of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Friends and representatives of numerous organizations demanded that the Immigration Minister act immediately to resolve Mr. Belaouni's case and allow him to live freely amongst his friends in Montreal.
Kader's case has become a rallying point for migrant justice in Canada, and is now becoming known internationally. In Ottawa, Vancouver, Halifax, Simcoe (Ontario, Finley's home riding), Red Deer (Alberta), New York, Tokyo, Beirut, The Hague, Paris, Berlin, Durban (South Africa), Athens (Greece), Wellington (New Zealand) and London (England), people formed delegations and delivered letters to the offices of Canadian representatives, as well as held pickets and demonstrations.
On January 18th, 2008, No One Is Illegal-Ottawa participated in the International Day of Action for Kader (read info below). NOII-Ottawa organized a demo in front of the CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) national office in downtown Ottawa.
On January 18th, 2008 hundreds of supporters of Abdelkader Belaouni (Kader) in Montreal, across Canada and internationally joined together in sending a loud and clear message to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley — immediately grant him permanent residence status in Canada. The 40-year old blind Algerian refugee has been living in church sanctuary in the neighborhood of Point St-Charles, Montreal since January 1st, 2006 after his applications to remain in Canada were rejected in a series of unjust decisions and he was threatened with deportation from Canada.
On Friday, as Kader entered his 748th day within the confines of the presbytery of St-Gabriel's Church, over 100 supporters in Montreal marched from Phillips Square through the underground to the offices of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Friends and representatives of numerous organizations demanded that the Immigration Minister act immediately to resolve Mr. Belaouni's case and allow him to live freely amongst his friends in Montreal.
Kader's case has become a rallying point for migrant justice in Canada, and is now becoming known internationally. In Ottawa, Vancouver, Halifax, Simcoe (Ontario, Finley's home riding), Red Deer (Alberta), New York, Tokyo, Beirut, The Hague, Paris, Berlin, Durban (South Africa), Athens (Greece), Wellington (New Zealand) and London (England), people formed delegations and delivered letters to the offices of Canadian representatives, as well as held pickets and demonstrations.
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