March against secret trials, arbitrary detention and deportation to torture in Canada

Saturday, 26 March at 1:00pm
Gathering point : Atwater Park (Atwater metro)

On 26 March 2005, a march to protest (in)security certificates will take place, beginning at 1:00pm.

We demand:

1. The immediate liberation of Adil Charkaoui, Mohamed Harkat, Hassan Almrei, Mahmoud Jaballah and Mohammad Mahjoub;
2. A fair trial with full disclosure of evidence;
3. The end to all deportations to torture;
4. The abolition of security certificates; and
5. An end to racial profiling and harassment of Arab, Muslim and other targeted communities.

Montrealer Adil Charkaoui was detained for almost two years without charge under secret evidence. He is now free under restrictive conditions, and is still threatened with deportation to torture. Mohamed Harkat has been detained since December 2002, Hassan Almrei since October 2001, Mahmoud Jaballah since August 2001 and Mohammad Mahjoub since June 2000.

All are being subject to a security certificate process, which permits the government to hold non-citizens for indefinite periods of time without charge on the basis of evidence that neither they nor their lawyers are permitted to see. All face physical or psychological torture, humiliation and even death if Canada decides to deport them.

At this time, we particularly denounce the 21 March 2005 decision against Mohamed Harkat, in which a Federal Court judge upheld the certificate against him, through a process which undermines the basic principles of the legal profession, including equality and the presumption of innocence. The Coalition reaffirms its solidarity with the family of Mohamed and will continue to work for justice for each of the men.