The Centre d’appui aux Philippines / Center for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC) views with alarm the unfolding events surrounding the trial of Adil Charkaoui in Canada.On December 9, in Montreal, Adil Charkaoui will go to trial again, even though it was just revealed that the Canadian spy agency CSIS has not yet given anyone - not even the judge - evidence to support its opinions about Adil. In addition, the hearings will take place under a judge, that Charkaoui's lawyers have already argued, should withdraw from the case on the grounds of bias. (More info: www.adilinfo.org/en/node/483).
The Charkaouis have been struggling for very basic rights for more than five years now - against racial profiling, secret trials, torture, arbitrary detention - in what feels like a treadmill of injustice. The endless court proceedings completely banalize the injustices, humiliations, threat of violence and intrusive state control Adil and the rest of his family are subject to on a daily basis.
If, through the secret trial process, the Federal Court finds the certificate "reasonable", Adil - a teacher and father of three children living in Montreal with his family since 1995 - could be deported to Morocco. Two Immigration Canada risk assessments - in August 2003 and October 2007 - found that he is at risk of torture, death or cruel and unusual punishment if deported. Government and courts have nevertheless continued the security certificate deportation proceedings against him, with the Supreme Court refusing in September 2008 to hear Charkaoui's argument that keeping him under a threat of being sent to torture is abusive.
On December 10, Canada will again mark International Human Rights Day, at the same time that secret rendition-to-torture hearings will be continuing. The public face of those secret hearings - show trials in which the individual is supposed to show that it isn't reasonable to believe that he has the profile of a potential "threat" without knowing the case against him have already begun in some of the security certificate cases, like the trial of Adil Charkaoui.
The Centre d’appui aux Philippines / Center for Philippine Concerns is an organization of Filipinos and non-Filipinos in Canada. It respects the provisions of the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights and advocates for the promotion of and respect for human rights of all peoples.
LET CANADA RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS STOP SECRET TRIALS AND TORTURE DEPORTATIONS!
The HR Desk / Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns (Montréal)
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END SECRET TRIALS AND TORTURE DEPORTATIONS
Action in solidarity with Adil Charkaoui
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at noon
Outside Federal Court, 30 McGill St. (Square Victoria Metro), Montreal
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