[van-announce] JUSTICE FOR ADIL CHARKAOUI! A Call for Support & Solidarity!

[Stefan Christoff]

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Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2003 09:32:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: justiceforadil at riseup.net

JUSTICE FOR ADIL CHARKAOUI!
A Call for Support & Solidarity!

This is a call for support and solidarity from the Justice Coalition for
Adil Charkaoui, which recently came together in Montreal to respond to the
arrest and detention of Adil Charkaoui under the CSIS "Security
Certificate". We are seeking public support and solidarity from groups,
organizations and individuals in Montreal and throughout the world.

Adil Charkaoui, aged 30, a landed immigrant originally from Morocco and
the father of a young son, was recently nabbed in a police and security
operation on the streets of Montreal and is currently being held in
detention under a so-called CSIS "Security Certificate". Charkaoui is
suspected of having links to members of Al-Qa'ida. However there has been
no evidence presented by the Canadian State to prove the allegation. Not
providing evidence is a practice allowed under Canada's post-September
11th "security" laws. Turning commonly accepted judicial practice on its
head, Charkaoui is considered guilty until proven innocent.

The Justice for Adil Charkaoui Campaign formed in Montreal in a matter of
days after his abrupt arrest. The Campaign -- an alliance of progressive
Muslim groups, refugee & immigrant rights organizations and the Charkaoui
family -- demands a fair trial for Charkaoui and for the immediate end of
the "Security Certificate" under which he is being held.

The "Security Certificate" allows the Canadian government to arrest,
detain and deport landed immigrants who are charged with being a "national
security" threat. There is no chance of bail, detention can be indefinite
and neither the person detained under the "Security Certificate" nor their
defense lawyer is allowed to access the "evidence". The "Security
Certificate" is being increasingly used to arrest, detain and deport
members of Arab and/or Muslim communities in Canada.

There are many ways that you can support the Justice for Adil Charkaoui
campaign:

----> Endorse the Demands: If your group or organization would like to
endorse the demands issued by the Justice Coalition for Adil Charkaoui to
the Canadian Government, please send an email with the name of your group
or organization to justiceforadil at riseup.net or call 514.583.2208

The demands are:

1) That Adil Charkaoui be released immediately, along with all those who
are being held under security certificates.

2) That Adil Charkaoui not be deported.

3) That Adil Charkaoui be allowed due process: the right to a fair trial,
the right to know what he is charged with, the right to hear evidence
against him and the right to defend himself in court.

4) That the secretive and anti-democratic Security Certificate mechanism
be abolished immediately.

5) That Canada stop using scapegoats to prove to the Bush administration
their commitment to security issues.

6) That Canada stop the ongoing racist harassment of Muslims and Canadians
of Middle Eastern and Arabic heritage.

----> We need people to participate in and join the Justice Coalition for
Adil Charkaoui. If you are interested in getting involved and supporting
our efforts to support Adil Charkaoui contact us and find out about
upcoming meeting, events and actions.

----> We need your help to build awareness in your community about our
campaign. If you would like organizers involved with the Justice Coalition
for Adil Charkaoui to give a presentation to your community, your school,
or your place of work, please contact us to let us know.

----> The Justice Coalition for Adil Charkaoui is seeking donations, as
currently Adil's family is living without an income and is in desperate
need of financial help. Donations for the Adil Charkaoui Campaign can be
made out to:

Payable to JFM
P.O.Box
5286 St-Laurent Stn
St-Laurent QC, H4L 4Z8

----> If you want to write a statement of solidarity and support for Adil
Charkaoui please email it to - justiceforadil at riseup.net - and we will
ensure that the statement is passed on directly to Adil Charkaoui who is
in detention.

Justice Coalition for Adil Charkaoui
Phone: 514 583 2208
Email: justiceforadil at riseup.net
http://www.montrealmuslimnews.net/adilfile.htm

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