Each month in 2021, please send a brief letter (postage-free!) and email to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair to stop the persecution of Ottawa refugee Mohamed Harkat, still fighting to end his deportation to torture and win his long-deserved permanent residence (samples below.) If you would like a monthly reminder, let us know at tasc@web.ca!
Thank you!
Matthew Behrens
Stop Canadian Involvement in Torture
THE ISSUE
Starting December 10, 2002, Mohamed (Moe) Harkat was illegally held for 43 months in maximum security detention without charge on secret allegations he was not allowed to properly contest. He was held under legislation unanimously found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2007.
He was “released” in 2006 on the strictest bail conditions in Canadian history, and while they have lessened, they are still incredibly intrusive and humiliating 14 years later. The original “evidence” against Mr. Harkat was destroyed by CSIS, and the allegations against him are based on two secret informants – one failed a lie detector test and the other had an affair with his CSIS handler – who were never cross-examined in court.
If this had been a regular criminal trial, the term “wrongful conviction” would fit perfectly. This is all grossly unfair. Moe is a United Nations Convention refugee who has lived in Canada for 25 years. If deported, he faces the risk of imprisonment, torture, and possibly death in Algeria. Courts in the UK and Ireland have barred their governments from deporting people to Algeria who face a substantial risk of torture. Canada must do the same in Moe’s case.
On October 26, 2017, Prime Minister Trudeau clearly stated: “Nobody ever deserves to be tortured. And when a Canadian government is either complicit in that or was not active enough in preventing it, there needs to be responsibility taken.”
The threat to deport Moe violates Canadian law and the UN Convention Against Torture (which outlaws deportation to torture under any circumstances, without exception).
Under the law, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair has the power to allow Mr. Harkat to stay in Canada. We are urging him to use this power today to allow Mohamed Harkat to remain in Canada and live his life, safe from fear and torture, with his wife and community.
SENDING A LETTER
Please send a MONTHLY letter, and add in a personal message. Some sample messages are below.
1. Mail your card/letter postage free to
Bill Blair, MP
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario. K1A 0A6
Email: bill.blair@parl.gc.ca, tasc@web.ca, ps.ministerofpublicsafety-ministredelasecuritepublique.sp@canada.ca
2. To double the impact of your physical card/letter, please take a very quick moment each month to send an automated email to Minister Blair and your MP, to call for the end to his deportation to torture and the granting of immediate permanent residence. It’s easy.
Simply click and sign here:
https://iclmg.ca/stop-harkat-deportation/
SAMPLE LETTERS
Dear Minister Blair,
It shocks our conscience that the deportation to torture proceedings continue against Ottawa refugee Mohamed Harkat.
On October 26, 2017, Prime Minister Trudeau clearly stated: “Nobody ever deserves to be tortured. And when a Canadian government is either complicit in that or was not active enough in preventing it, there needs to be responsibility taken.”
Under Canadian and international law, even the slightest consideration that deportation to torture is being considered is clearly illegal. Mohamed Harkat and his family have suffered enough.
Please end this deportation and grant Mr. Harkat Permanent Residence now.
Best wishes
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Dear Minister Blair,
For almost five years, a well-supported application for Mohamed Harkat's permanent residence has sat on your desk and that of your predecessor. I urge you to act on that application and grant Mr. Harkat permanent residence and end the deportation to torture proceedings against him.
Justice delayed is justice denied. Starting December 10, 2002, Mr. Harkat was illegally held for 43 months in maximum security detention without charge on secret allegations he was not allowed to properly contest. He was held under legislation unanimously found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2007. For the past 13 years, there has been no evidence produced to show why he and his wife should continue to live under constant surveillance and house arrest.
Please end this deportation and grant Mr. Harkat Permanent Residence now.
Best wishes
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