“Stop Unjust Extradition Proceedings”
In this issue:
- Update on Hassan Diab’s Case
- Campaign to Reform Canada’s Extradition Law
- Panel Discussion at Peoples Social Forum
- Hassan Diab’s Case in the News
- How You Can Help
1. Update on Hassan Diab’s Case
In the wake of the very disappointing decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal in May of this year, Dr. Hassan Diab now looks to the Supreme Court to rectify the injustice of the lower court decisions and reaffirm the values and basic human rights that make for a fair, free, and open society. If the leave to appeal to the Supreme Court is granted, this would represent Hassan’s last best hope for justice.
We hope the Supreme Court will address the fundamental injustice of depriving an innocent man of his liberty based on evidence that would simply be unacceptable in a Canadian court – a handwriting report derided as utterly flawed by several of the world’s leading forensic analysts, and secret evidence that is unchallengeable and that may be the product of torture. We also hope the Supreme Court will mend the deep divisions among provincial courts in how to interpret and apply the federal extradition law so that everyone is treated equally before the law.
2. Campaign to Reform Canada’s Extradition Law
Read What’s Wrong with Canada’s Extradition Law.
We are approaching a critical phase in the extradition process as we look to the Supreme Court to rectify the injustice of the lower court decisions. This is a phase where it is very important to inform Members of Parliament about the unfairness of Canada’s extradition law.
The Hassan Diab Support Committee is launching a national campaign to put Canada’s unjust extradition law and Hassan’s case on the map.
This is where you come in.
We need supporters like you to set up meetings with their Members of Parliament to make them aware of the serious problems with Canada’s extradition law, using Hassan’s case as example. For this to be effective, we need supporters to get involved across the country, and in as many different ridings as possible.
If you are interested in helping, please send an email to diabsupport@gmail.com. We will talk with you about how to set up a meeting, and will discuss the talking points and strategy of the campaign.
To find out who your MP is, go to the following web page and enter your postal code:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC
3. Panel Discussion at Peoples Social Forum
- Topic: “Islamophobia and Civil Liberties in Canada”
- When: Saturday, August 23, 1:00 PM
- Where: Peoples Social Forum, Ottawa University, Desmarais (DMS) Bldg, Room 1140
This panel discussion will expose the range of attacks on the civil liberties of Muslims and people of Arab origin living in Canada, and the personal toll it has taken on families such as that of Mohamed Harkat and Hassan Diab. The struggle against government practices that have had a terrible impact on Muslims will be described. These practices include the use of unfair laws such as security certificates and extradition law, as well as shadowy practices of CSIS and the RCMP that have resulted in the deportation and torture of Canadian citizens abroad. The panel will also discuss ways in which targeted Muslims and their supporters can challenge these cases.
Speakers include Sophie Harkat, wife of Mohamed Harkat, who is facing deportation, and Hassan Diab, who is facing unjust extradition.
Organized by Justice for Mohamad Harkat, Justice for Hassan Diab, and the Canadian Peace Alliance.
4. Hassan Diab’s Case in the News
Articles:
- “Will There Be Justice For This Canadian Citizen Living a Nightmare?”, by Larry Rousseau, Huffington Post, May 14, 2014
- “Op-Ed: Bring Canada’s extradition law into this century”, by Maria Heynen and Colin Stuart, Ottawa Citizen, May 15, 2014
- “Productive week for Canada’s desk torturers in Harkat, Diab cases”, by Matthew Behrens, rabble.ca, May 21, 2014
- “We are all Hassan Diab”, Friends of Hassan Diab blog, July 27, 2014
Interviews:
- Free City Radio, June 20, 2014
- CKUT Community Radio, July 23, 2014 (Interview starts at 08:00 time mark)
CONTACT your Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) about Hassan’s plight and urge him/her to reform Canada’s unfair extradition law. (Please share any letters you send with diabsupport@gmail.com).
WRITE letters to newspapers voicing your concern about the injustices in Hassan’s case.
(Please share any letters you send with diabsupport@gmail.com)
DONATE to Hassan’s defence to help defray the cost of the GPS monitoring device he is required to wear and the legal fees he is saddled with. For information on how to donate, please visit http://www.justiceforhassandiab.org/donate
Hassan Diab Support Committee
Email: diabsupport@gmail.com
Web: http://www.justiceforhassandiab.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforhassandiab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/justiceforhdiab
Blog: http://friendsofhassandiab.blogspot.com
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