Below is an index of features from February 2007
Canada: Anti-Terrorism Act's investigatory hearings and preventive arrest provisions should not be renewed
Posted: 25 February 2007
Amnesty International calls on the House of Commons not to renew the powers under sections 83.28 and 83.3 of the Criminal Code, allowing investigatory hearings and preventive arrest (recognizance with conditions) in anti-terrorism cases. These provisions should be allowed to expire on March 1, 2007, pursuant to the five-year sunset clause in s. 83.32 of the Criminal Code ... Public Statement
Supreme Court of Canada Strikes Down Security Certificate Process
Posted: 23 February 2007
Amnesty International welcomes today's unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, which struck down the security certificate process as deeply flawed and in need of reform. The court undertook a comprehensive review, and all of the concerns raised by Amnesty International were addressed ... News Release
Canada and the United States: No Security without human rights - Open Letter
Posted: 22 February 2007
Amnesty writes to the Canadian Ministers of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of their meeting on February 23rd with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. Amnesty International recognizes the importance of Canada-U.S. cooperation on national security issues, and urges both governments to ensure that their practices in this area reflect their commitment to human rights. Ensuring national security while respecting human rights is not only a legal obligation of both governments, but is also indispensable for maintaining credibility and public confidence in national security policy. Amnesty urges them to use this opportunity to raise three serious human rights concerns associated with US counter-terrorism practice: Guantánamo Bay, the case of Maher Arar, and possible CIA flights through Canada. ... Read the Open Letter
Canada: Detainees in Afghanistan must not face torture
Posted: 21 February 2007
Amnesty International and the British Colombia Civil Liberties Association have launched a judicial review of the transfers that have taken place under the Canada-Afghanistan Detainee Agreement signed on 18 December, 2005 ... News Release
China: Husein Dzhelil (known as Huseyin Celil) aged 37, Canadian citizen, imprisoned in China
Posted: 19 February 2007
Those close to Husein Dzhelil say he claims that he was tortured after his extradition to China in June 2006, including by being starved and deprived of sleep during the first fifteen days of his imprisonment. He has also claimed that Chinese authorities threatened that he would "disappear" and "be buried alive" unless he signed a document. This document was later held up as a confession, although Husein Dzhelil reportedly later claimed he did not know what he had signed. In August last year, Husein Dzhelil's family was informed by sources who refused to reveal their identity that Husein Dzhelil had been sentenced to death following a secret trial. This was denied by the Chinese authorities, who indicated that his case was still pending. Similar unconfirmed reports then emerged that he had been sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment but was going to appeal against his sentence. Husein Dzhelil's trial on 2 February was the first time family members reported being able to attend one of his court appearances ...Take Action
Canada: Protect the health and well-being of Security Certificate detainees
Updated: 16 February 2007
Mahmoud Jaballah, Mohammad Mahjoub and Hassan Almrei have all been in prison in Canada for more than five years. They are being held under immigration security certificates at the Kingston Immigration Holding Centre in Ontario. Note: On February 15, 2007, after 6 1/2 years, the Federal Court granted the release of Mr. Mohammad Majoub from detention on strict conditions. In granting the release from detention, Judge Mosley found that the detention of Mr. Majoub "might reasonably be described as indefinite." Mahmoud Jaballah and Hassan Almrei remain detained and on a hunger strike. Please continue to address appeals to Stockwell Day regarding their situation ... Open Letter to Stockwell Day | Take Action
Toronto Vigil to mark the 10th anniversary of the Gulja Massacre
Posted: 2 February 2007
Ten years ago, Chinese police cracked down on a peaceful protest in Gulja, Xinjiang. Possibly thousands, including children, lost their lives or were seriously injured during this crackdown and the unrest that followed the next day. Large numbers of people were arrested and many of them were tortured during custody. To this date, an unknown number of people connected to this event remain imprisoned. On Monday, Feb 5th, 2007 the Uyghur Canadian Association and its supporters will commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Gulja Massacre from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in front of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China (240 St. George Street, between Dupont and Bloor) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. If you are in the area, please join us to mark the anniversary ... Take Action | Rabiya Kadeer testimonal about the massacre | Information about other vigils