Listen to the podcast entitled “How Much Justice Is There in Canada’s Extradition Process?”, released by the Centre for Free Expression’s at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Panelists:
- Donald Bayne, Distinguished criminal defence lawyer and counsel for Hassan Diab
- Julianna Greenspan, Senior partner at Greenspan Partners with extensive experience in extradition matters
- Joanna Harrington, Eldon Foote Chair in International Business and Law, and Vice Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta
Moderator:
- Robert Currie, Viscount Bennett Professor of Law, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University
The podcast questions whether Canada’s extradition system strikes the right balance between international cooperation and individual rights. The main concern is that almost everyone sought for extradition is sent abroad, raising questions about whether the safeguards are sufficient.
Dr. Hassan Diab’s case illustrates three injustices:
- Weak evidence: Canada allowed Hassan’s extradition despite serious concerns about the reliability of the handwriting evidence against him.
- Limited defence rights: An extradition hearing is not a criminal trial, so the person cannot challenge the foreign evidence as fully as they could at trial.
- Severe consequences: Hassan spent years in French custody before being released and returning to Canada, illustrating the human cost of an unfair extradition decision.
Action: Send a Postcard to the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Mark Carney
We have a new postcard! Please take part in our postcard campaign and urge Prime Minister Mark Carney to take immediate action for justice and human rights in Hassan’s case. (No postage is required when you mail the postcard within Canada.)
Postcards are available at Octopus Books, 116 Third Avenue, Ottawa. Please drop by Octopus Books to sign a postcard, and get extra postcards to distribute to others.
You can also request postcards by emailing diabsupport@gmail.com. Please include your mailing address and the number of postcards you’d like.
Take a photo of yourself signing the postcard and send it with a short message to diabsupport@gmail.com. With your permission, we’ll share your photo and message on social media.
Download a copy of the postcard (PDF)
Action: Write to the Canadian Minister of Justice, Mr. Sean Fraser
Send a letter to the Minister of Justice, Mr. Sean Fraser, to urge him to refuse any future extradition request and to put an end – once and for all – to this ongoing miscarriage of justice.
In addition to Minister Sean Fraser, copies of your letter will automatically be sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand, as well as your own MP.
Letter is available at: https://iclmg.ca/support-diab