[Bloquez l'empire!] Update Hunger Strike (Toronto)

[Mary Foster]

from: tasc at web.ca

Please circulate widely.

HUNGER STRIKE UPDATE
 September 1, 2005

Secret trial Detainee Hassan Almrei is now on day 71 of his hunger-strike.
After almost four years in solitary confinement without charge, held on
secret evidence, all Almrei is currently asking for is the same conditions
as federal prisoners: one hour outside his cell per day; the right to wear
normal clothes instead of an orange jumpsuit; radio and tv. Things that
would make it slightly easier for him as he awaits the conclusion of
lengthy legal processes which will determine the legality of indefinite
detention, deportation to torture, and denial of bail. Hassan is in
constant pain. He cannot lie down because his ribs are so sore. He does not
have the strength to stand or walk. He is afraid to sleep now for fear he
will not wake up. His body, like his life, is rapidly running out of
options. He is heartened by the outpouring of support from Canadians across
this country.

Secret trial detainee Mohammad Mahjoub is on day 57 of a hunger strike,
also demanding minimally decent conditions of detention, including contact
visits with his two young children, as he awaits numerous court decisions
similar to Hassan's. He is weak and has lost a great deal of weight, but
wants Canadians to know how much he appreciates their support.

Both men are held under the secret trial security certificate at Metro West
Detention Centre in Toronto.

Although hundreds of calls have been made, hundreds of letters and faxes
written, demonstrations have taken place in Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and
in Toronto (scheduled for 4 pm Saturday at Metro West), nothing has been
done by the authorities who could so easily make the decision to provide
the prisoners with their simple and fully justified demands.

 Before the long weekend gets underway, please CALL AND WRITE to the
appropriate ministers, and demand that they takes steps toward the kind of
solution that will enable these men to end their hunger strikes. Each
claims that the other is responsible, so best to contact BOTH.

 In Ontario, it is Monte Kwinter,
 Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
 18th floor, 25 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, ON, M7A 1Y6
 Phone: (416) 325-0408
Fax: (416) 325-6067
mkwinter.mpp at liberal.ola.org

In Ottawa, Anne McLellan,  Minister of Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Sir Wilfred Laurier Blvd. 13th Floor 340 Laurier Ave. Ottawa,
 ON K1A 0P8 Phone: (613) 992-4524 Fax: (613) 943-0044 or
McLellan.A at parl.gc.ca

 Thanks!

 The Campaign to Stop Secret Trials, PO Box 73620, 509 St. Clair Ave. West,
Toronto, ON M6C 1C0, (416) 651-5800, tasc at web.ca