[Bloquez l'empire!] 17 November: March against the new security certificate legislation

[People's Commission]

No to two-tiered justice; no to secret trials
Free the secret trial five

Justice for ALL!

MARCH against the new security certificate legislation

Saturday, 17 November 2007, 1pm
Gather at Metro Côte Vertu (corner of Côte Vertu and Décarie)

Join us in a march through Ville St-Laurent, a neighbourhood with many
Muslims, Arabs and new immigrants, to show solidarity with communities
targeted by the national security agenda, to oppose racial profiling and
discrimination against non-citizens, and to call on Stephane Dion, MP for
Ville St-Laurent and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, to take a
position against Bill C-3.

On October 22nd, the Conservatives introduced Bill C-3, new security
certificate legislation, which they hope to pass into law in the coming
months. The Liberals immediately signaled their intention of supporting
Bill C-3.

Like the old security certificate, the proposed draft
(www2.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Bills/392/Government/C-3/C-3_1/C-3_1.PDF) fails
to provide a fair trial, maintains a secret trial process, uses vague and
undefined allegations rather than precise charges, and relies on a low
standard of proof. It allows the judge to take a decision based on secret
and dubious
information. It does not prohibit the use of information produced under
torture. It maintains a two-tiered system which does not allow non-citizens
the same procedural protections as citizens, even though their liberty and
very lives may be at
stake. It will continue the practice of indefinite detention under threat of
deportation to torture. Legal experts who have analysed the bill have
already said that it will not even pass a constitutional test; raising the
possibility of further legal battles and constitutional challenges.

If it succeeds, this move on the part of the government will further
entrench the use of secrecy and racial profiling in the Canadian legal
system. It will help to normalize indefinite detention or house arrest for
people who are deemed "suspect" by the spy agency CSIS. It will help
normalize increased government control and surveillance. All while leaving
the door open to deportation to torture.

The proposed reform comes in response to a strong grassroots campaign
against the security certificate - a symbol of injustice against migrants in
Canada - and in response to the Supreme Court decision in February 2007 that
the 'security certificate' process is unconstitutional.

On 20 October, actions were held in over a dozen cities across Canada to
send a clear message to the government: no new security certificate process;
immediately free those detained under this illegal law - or charge them and
give them a fair and open trial. The day of action was supported by over
sixty organizations - from national unions and NGO networks to community
organizations and activist networks. (See full demands and the full list of
endorsers at www.jerome.koumbit.org/adil/en/node/154.) In Montreal, a
very well attended public assembly took place to develop analysis and
discuss strategy (see
photo report: http://photos.cmaq.net/v/certificats_de_securite/).

Momentum against the new legislation is building.

JOIN US on Saturday, 17 November in Montreal to say:
1. No new 'security certificate' legislation;
2. Immediately free the five from all conditions or charge them and provide
them with a fair and open trial;
3. End deportations to torture.

WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO:
* Distribute this annoncement through your networks, and encourage your
contacts to come out on November 17th.
* Distribute postcards urging your MPs to vote against the legislation
(order from Justice for Adil, justiceforadil at riseup.net).
* Circulate petition for signature (download petition at
www.jerome.koumbit.org/adil/en/postcards).
* Invite a speaker from the Coalition Justice for Adil Charkaoui to give a
talk at your school, community centre, board meeting, etc:
justiceforadil at riseup.net.

----------------------------
Coalition Justice for Adil Charkaoui
www.adilinfo.org
tel. 514 859 9023
justiceforadil at riseup.net

To join our newslist:
justiceforadil-subscribe at lists.riseup.net

Justice for Adil is a working group of QPIRG McGill.