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Supporters of Mohamed Harkat are to rally Monday to call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to end the government’s bid to deport him to potentially face torture in Algeria.
It’s nearly 16 years into his legal odyssey as he awaits word on a decision on immigration officials’ submission he should be returned to his homeland and on his own request for a ministerial exemption to let him stay in Canada.
Speakers at the 11 a.m. event at the corner of Wellington and Elgin streets are to include Tim McSorley of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group and Alex Neve of Amnesty International who have worked “tirelessly” on Harkat’s behalf, according to his wife, Sophie Harkat.
Harkat, a former gas station attendant who denies any involvement in terrorism, was arrested in Ottawa in 2002 on suspicion of being an al-Qaida sleeper agent.
After three years behind bars, he was released in June 2006 under strict conditions that have gradually been eased. Most recently, a federal court judge gave him permission to travel anywhere in Ontario or Quebec for 72 hours.
The government wants to deport him under a national security certificate, a legal tool for removing non-citizens suspected of ties to extremism or espionage. Harkat fears he will be tortured if returned to his native country.
Harkat has responded to a Canada Border Services Agency submission that he should be removed to Algeria, arguing that he is a recognized refugee under international law, lawyer Barbara Jackman reported.
He’s also asked Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale for an exemption under immigration law that it would not be “contrary to Canada’s national interest” to let him stay in the country with his wife, family and the community where he now works as a part-time church custodian, Jackman said.
But she couldn’t predict when or if Harkat’s case would be resolved, noting that in her experience ministers are unwilling to be seen to help a “terrorist” even if they present no risk.
“These kinds of decisions are almost always delayed — by years sometimes,” Jackman said, arguing that “labelling people who have caused no harm and for whom the evidence of concern is tenuous, creates a problem in itself.
查看原文...
It’s nearly 16 years into his legal odyssey as he awaits word on a decision on immigration officials’ submission he should be returned to his homeland and on his own request for a ministerial exemption to let him stay in Canada.
Speakers at the 11 a.m. event at the corner of Wellington and Elgin streets are to include Tim McSorley of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group and Alex Neve of Amnesty International who have worked “tirelessly” on Harkat’s behalf, according to his wife, Sophie Harkat.
Harkat, a former gas station attendant who denies any involvement in terrorism, was arrested in Ottawa in 2002 on suspicion of being an al-Qaida sleeper agent.
After three years behind bars, he was released in June 2006 under strict conditions that have gradually been eased. Most recently, a federal court judge gave him permission to travel anywhere in Ontario or Quebec for 72 hours.
The government wants to deport him under a national security certificate, a legal tool for removing non-citizens suspected of ties to extremism or espionage. Harkat fears he will be tortured if returned to his native country.
Harkat has responded to a Canada Border Services Agency submission that he should be removed to Algeria, arguing that he is a recognized refugee under international law, lawyer Barbara Jackman reported.
He’s also asked Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale for an exemption under immigration law that it would not be “contrary to Canada’s national interest” to let him stay in the country with his wife, family and the community where he now works as a part-time church custodian, Jackman said.
But she couldn’t predict when or if Harkat’s case would be resolved, noting that in her experience ministers are unwilling to be seen to help a “terrorist” even if they present no risk.
“These kinds of decisions are almost always delayed — by years sometimes,” Jackman said, arguing that “labelling people who have caused no harm and for whom the evidence of concern is tenuous, creates a problem in itself.
查看原文...
