- Target:
- Everyone
- Region:
- Canada
- Website:
- captiveincanada.com
As concerned Canadian citizens, who believe strongly in the values of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we feel that it is our duty to bring to your attention the plight of three of the accused in last summer’s arrests in Toronto, commonly known as the Toronto 18.
Initially they had a communication ban on them which was the reason they were put in solitary confinment, in a steel box that measures 6 X 7 X 10, 23 1/2 hours a day!.
All but 3 (Fahim Ahmad (23), Zakariya Amara(22), Ali Dirie(22) still remain in solitary.
These individuals have been kept in isolation, deprived of basic rights, including human interaction, communication, religious rights as well as rights and privileges that even convicted criminals are granted, etc. It is important to note that these individuals have not been convicted of any crimes and yet they are treated worse than convicted criminals.
They are denied shower for days, almost impossible to get books, and are only allowed few minutes out in the yard before the sunrises, with a strip search every time they step out or in of the cell. They are not allowed to perform the weekly gathering prayer (Jumma), and sometimes dont get to take a shower for days.
**Please note that since the arrests, 3 of the youth's charges have been stayed, 1 youth and 3 have been released on bail. The preliminary hearings were abruptly cancelled during the cross examination of thier main witness Mubin Shaik.
"What Shaikh said cannot be repeated due to a publication ban. But there is no doubt that his words have already helped some of the accused terrorists he was paid to bring down. Earlier this year, after he testified at a preliminary hearing for the four youths arrested in the raids, the feds dropped all charges against three of them."
( Keep reading.. http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20071008_110111_110111&source=srch )
We urge you to support this humane cause of the accused based on the fundamental rule of every one is presumed innocent until proven guilty, as in our charter of rights.
P E T I T I O N
End solitary confinement. Respect the rights of detainees.
On November 8, 2007, the Toronto Star published an article by Thomas Walkom that exposed the conditions in which several men have been detained at the Don Jail in Toronto.
Fahim Ahmad, Zakaria Amara and Ali Dirie are part of the so-called “Toronto 18” – a group of Muslim men and boys who were arrested in June 2006 and accused of terror-related activity. These three men have been held in solitary confinement for 17 months, in cells that measure 6 X 7 X 10 feet.
According to a study by the Correctional Services of Canada, enforced segregation for 60 days is “the most individually destructive, psychologically crippling and socially alienating experience that could conceivably exist within the borders of the country.” In addition, the study notes that solitary confinement often leads to the development of psychosis (auditory and visual hallucinations and delusions), self-harm and suicide in detainees.
Prisoner advocates argue that 60 days is the maximum length of time that anyone should be held in solitary confinement. These three men have been held in solitary confinement for over 500 days, nearly nine times more than what is considered safe.
Despite the hysteria that surrounds their cases, these men remain innocent until proven guilty. Accordingly, the conditions of their detention must meet the minimum standards provided to other detainees: regular access to meals, education, exercise outside their cells and social activity. The conditions of their detention must not be used as punishment for crimes for which they have not been convicted.
As Canadian citizens, these men have the right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Their current conditions of detention are a violation of this right and of existing legislation that prevents cruel and unusual punishment in Canada.
Therefore, we demand that Fahim Ahmad, Zakaria Amara and Mohammed Dirie:
- Be released immediately from solitary confinement;
- Be guaranteed conditions of detention that meet the minimum standards provided to other detainees;
- Be guaranteed their constitutional rights through the establishment of safeguards by the appropriate authorities.
Please fax completed petitions to:
Hon. Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services (Ontario): 416-325-6067
Hon. Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety (Federal): 613-954-5186 or 613-995-1154
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Toronto 18 - End solitary confinement petition to Everyone was written by Mariya and is in the category Human Rights at GoPetition.