[IPSM] Freedom of Repression? Conference Nov. 10th

[mattm-b at resist.ca]

FREEDOM OF REPRESSION?
A PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF RIGHTS OF SPEECH AND ASSOCIATION FOR DIVERSE
COMMUNITIES IN CANADA AFTER 9/11

Friday November 10, 2006 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
5050 Minto Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa

discussants include:
PAUL COPELAND, Legal Counsel for Mohamed Harkat, Toronto
SHE LINA MERANI, Présence Musulmane Canada
HACÈNE OUKACÈNE, Committee for Justice for Mohamed Harkat, Ottawa
KARL NICKNER, Executive Director, Council on American Islamic Relations
Canada
MEHREEN RAZA, Council of Associations Serving South Asians (CASSA), Toronto
JAGGI SINGH, Solidarity Across Borders, Montreal
CHANTAL TIE, Legal Counsel, South Ottawa Legal Clinic
HARSHA WALIA, Writer and Activist, No One is Illegal, South Asian Network
for Secularism and Democracy, Vancouver

$20 General Admission includes lunch, Sliding Scale for Students and Low
Income Participants

Organized by the Council of Associations Serving South Asians and the
Human Rights Program of Carleton University
Sponsored by the Court Challenges Program

For more information contact Yavar Hameed (613) 232-2688 ext. 228 or go to
http://www.hf-law.ca

Whereas racial profiling by Canadian authorities aimed at defeating
terrorism pre-dates 9/11, the “War on Terror” has provided the
justification for more centralized and invasive measures of government
control and scrutiny of the Canadian public.  Within this context,
immigrants, refugees, non-status persons and Canadians of diverse
backgrounds (particularly Muslims and Arabs) report that they have been
unfairly targeted.  These allegations are consistently denied as being
without merit by the Canadian government.  Significantly, the extent of
surveillance and chilled speech of affected groups has not been
meaningfully assessed on a national level in Canada.  This conference
provides a forum for public discussion to address the question of how the
rights of expression and association of diverse communities have been
affected since September 11, 2001.

Friday November 10, 2006 – 5050 Minto Centre, Carleton University
8:30  a.m. to 5:00 p.m

Registration: Coffee, Tea and Light Breakfast served
8:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Key note Address:  TBA
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

1st Panel:  Public Protest and the Big Chill
9:30  to 11:00 a.m.



Discussants:  	Jaggi Singh, Member, Solidarity Across Borders
Hacène Oukacène, Non-Status Algerian, Ottawa

MODERATOR:  Jared Will, Montreal Lawyer

HEALTH BREAK – 11: 00 to 11:15 – World class nutritional items will be
served to help stimulate clear and focused thinking.


2nd Panel:  Post 9/11 Surveillance: Drawing the Line on Invasion of Privacy
11:15 – 12:45



Discussants:	Karl Nickner – Executive Director, Council on American
Islamic Relations-Canada
			Paul Copeland, Legal counsel for Mohamed Harkat
			Shelina Merani – Présence Musulmane Canada

Moderator:  Amir Attaran, Professor, University of Ottawa


LUNCH:  12: 45 – 2:00 p.m. – a catered lunch will be provided for
conference participants

3rd Panel: Targeting of Immigrants and Non Status Persons
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.



Discussants:	Harsha Walia, Activist and Writer, No One is Illegal and
South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD), Vancouver
			Chantal Tie, Lawyer, South Ottawa Legal Clinic

MODERATOR:  TBA

HEALTH BREAK: 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. – Some light snacks and beverages served to
fuel discussion for the final strategy session.

4th Panel:  Building Resistance: A Strategic Discussion on Documenting,
Protecting and Advancing Expression Rights for Diverse Communities

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.



Discussants:  	Mehreen Raza,  Council of Associations Serving South Asians
Yavar Hameed, Human Rights Lawyer, Hameed Farrokhzad LLP
Bill Skidmore, Carleton University Human Rights Program