Ottawa: Security Certificate Case Continues

Today will be the third day of the trial in the Supreme Court of Canada about the constitutionality of Security Certificates. Tuesday was the first day with Adil Charkoui, who was the first Security Certificate member who was released on bail on strict conditions. He was allowed to travel to Ottawa for three days for the trial, while usually he is unable to leave the island of Montreal. To see pictures and a report go to YaYaCanada who was actually in the courtroom for part of the trial.

I was however, able to get to 'Camp Hope' on the lawn of the Supreme Court. Not many people were outside as most were inside the Supreme Court, but a handful were handing out leaflets to those who went by and banners from across the country were streached out across the lawn. Most people on the street seemed pretty responsive towards the issue. Maybe the ideas of fair trial are part of the 'Canadian Values' many politicians talk about. One person even stopped their car and reached over as hard as possible past their passenger to get me to run and give them a flyer. When I was there only one person vehemently disagreed with us. This person exclaimed "No I don't agree with it! They are terrorists they should be locked up and done away with!" I posed the question that "How do we know if they are terrorists if they do not have a fair trial?" Yet, she just stormed away without answering.

The main issue with Security Certificates the lack of fair trial. Do I know if the Security Certificate Five are guilty or innocent? No, I don't, but is the responsibility of a fair and democratic system for people to be innocent before proven guilty. They also need to have access to the evidence being put against them and, they should not be apprehended on merely a suspicion to be put in jail. Especially not a jail with bad conditions and little access to their families as, the new Guantanamo North in Kingston is.

Yesterday, Hassan Almrei was the one in the Supreme Court. He is one of the three still being held in Guantanamo North and, is one of the three hunger strikers. Today is the last day of the trial with Ottawa resident Mohamed Harkat who was just released on bail with extreme strict conditions. He is only allowed to leave the house three times a week for four hour periods which he has to get federal approval for, he always has to be with either his wife or mother-in-law, he must wear a GPS tracking bracelet at all times and, there are other conditions.

Ottawa: Security Certificate 'Camp Hope'

On saturday night a group of activists who live in Toronto and the subsequent cities between Toronto and Ottawa arrived in Ottawa giving an end to the Freedom Caravan and a beginning to Camp Hope. The group organized by Homes Not Bombs are in Ottawa this week in protest of Security Certificates. The constitutionality of Security Certificates is being taken to the Supreme Court of Canada this week by Adil Charkaoui, Hassan Almreiat and, Mohamed Harkat. Outside of the Supreme Court Camp Hope has been set up by Homes Not Bombs, Justice for Mohamed Harkat, Justice Coalition for Adil Charkaoui, as well as NOWAR-PAIX.

The five men under Security Certificates have been held for years without fair trial. Outside of Kingston Canadian taxpayers have paid for a new facility that has been dubed by many as Guantanamo North. Adil Charkaoui was released on bail with strict conditions about two years ago, while Mohamed Harkat was also released recently on bail with strict conditions. The three remaining men in the Kingston facility Mahmoud Jaballah, Mohammad Mahjoub and Hassan Almrei have gone on hunger strike to protest their conditions.

Throughout the week in Ottawa there will be events happening as listed below. The first major event was yesterday where the group marched on the Prime Mininisters Office as well as Canadian Immigration. Today the group will be camped out on the lawn of the Supreme Court for Adil Charkaoui's challenge with banners from around the country. Then tonight the son of late Prime Minister Pierre Eliott Trudeau, Alex Trudeau will having a panel discussion with members of the Security Certificate Five's families, which is a change from the release of his new movie Secure Freedom about Security Certificates.

Tuesday, June 13. 9 am-5pm. Camp Hope Vigil and banner display Supreme Court Lawn. Support Adil Charkaoui in Court!

Tuesday, June 13 - 7 pm. - Panel discussion featuring Alex (Sacha) Trudeau, members of the Secret Trial Five families, short video screening St-Paul's University Amphitheatre, 223 Main Street.

Wednesday, June 14. 9 am-5pm. Camp Hope. Vigil and banner display Supreme Court Lawn. Support Hassan Almreiat in Court!

Thursday, June 15. 9 am-5pm Camp Hope Vigil and banner display Supreme Court Lawn. Support Mohamed Harkat in Court!

Ontario: Freedom Caravan begins

In Toronto yesterday a group of human rights activists started the treck to Ottawa. The group in taking a week to get to Ottawa stopping at every town along the way gaining people. They are calling themselves the Freedom Caravan who are on the way to Camp Hope. Camp Hope will be formed on the lawn of the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa. They will be camped out on the lawn for a week in protest of Security Certificates.

A week of activities are being planned and many other soldarity protests are being held around the country for the 13th of June. From the 13th to the 15th three of the Security Certificate detainees Adil Charkaoui, Hassan Almrei and, Mohamed Harkat will be challenging the constitutionality of their Security Certificates. Though other cities will be holding vigils on the 13th, in Ottawa there will be the film screening of Secure Freedom a documentary on Security Certificates made by Alexandre Trudeau the son of late Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.