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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| homes not bombs needs your help |
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| amatullah |
| 08/07/02 at 11:33:10 |
| Security Certificate Target Could be Released on Bail in Precedent-Setting Move--We need your help! Homes not Bombs is collecting cash bail as part of the $50,000 surety bail and the $10,000 cash bail which is required to free on bail Muhammad Mahjoub, an unjustly imprisoned man who has been behind bars, much of it in punitive solitary confinement, since June, 2000. Mr. Mahjoub, along with the similarly incarcerated Mahmoud Jaballah, was a focus of the recent Walk to End Racism, Repression and War from Hamilton to Scarborough. Mr. Mahjoub, married to a Canadian citizen and the father of two Canadian-born children, was a victim of torture and state persecution in Egypt. At his refugee hearing (where refugee status was granted), it was obvious he would be tortured and killed if returned to Egypt. He has never been charged or convicted of any crime, nor has he been accused of engaging in violence. He has never been the subject of an extradition request, and is currently the focus of a European support campaign by Amnesty International. The Canadian government is holding him on a security certificate, but he and his lawyer are not allowed to see the evidence against him. During the walk many of us had the privilege of meeting with and discussing this case with Mrs. Mahjoub, who conveyed how incredibly difficult these last years have been for the whole family. Like numerous others in Canada and abroad, Mr. Mahjoub appears to be the victim of a flimsy guilt by alleged association allegation, and is behind bars more due to the racism of this country and its "security services" than because of any threat he might pose. If we could get Mahjoub released to his family, it would be a significant setback for CSIS and the security certificate process, under which individuals who are not citizens in this country (but who may be trying to obtain refugee or landed immigrant status) are arrested, jailed, held without bail, and not allowed to see the case against them--essentially a secret trial that violates that most basic of judicial tenets, that you should be allowed to know why you are being brought before a court and to have a fair, OPEN trial. (CSIS also relies on the easy demonization of folks who are Muslim or share Middle Eastern or Arabic heritage--if the "suspect" is in jail during judicial proceedings, this simply adds to the aura of "danger" with which CSIS likes to paint its targets. CSIS oversight committee reports note that CSIS often exaggerates the nature of alleged threats, relies on poor sources of information, often fails to do its homework, relies on informants' "feelings" rather than facts, fails to report facts which contradict the CSIS case, and often uses "evidence" that is over a decade old. Just check this week's headlines about CSIS' abominable behaviour in "disappearing" a Canadian citizen into the U.S. military's penal system). Just as important, release on bail would restore some much-needed health and dignity to someone who has been mistreated for over two years, and put a halt to the tears of two little children and a woman who sorely miss their father and husband. HOW TO HELP 1. Forward this appeal far and wide. 2. It appears we might have the $50,000 surety bail covered for now, but not the cash bail. Cheques, with a notation for Mahjoub bail (or a separate note indicating this if you prefer not to have this on the cheque) can be made out to Homes not Bombs and sent to PO Box 73620, 509 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto, ON M6C 1C0. If you can tell us how much you will be sending via e-mail, we can front some of that money to get Mahjoub out faster and await your cheque via snail mail. Perhaps approaching a church or student or union group would be a good idea too. 3. The bail money acts as a kind of low-risk loan to guarantee Mahjoub's release. In terms of risk, the money could be forfeited if Mahjoub breaks his conditions of bail or flees Canada. This is highly unlikely, given the hell he has been through to get to this stage and his acceptance as a refugee in this country and the fact that he has firmly established family here. The money is returned once the legal wrangling is completed (which could be a year or more). Homes not Bombs will keep tabs of who donates money and, when the bail money is returned, your contribution will be returned as well. 4. To date, we have raised pledges of almost $3,000 without issuing a broad appeal. 70 folks committing $100 each, or 35 folks pledging $200, or a whole bunch pledging a variety of amounts that they can afford will help break one part of the security hysteria which holds so many behind the bars of racism and prison. Please help if you can. Any monies received above and beyond the $10,000 will be immediately returned to those donors. For more info: Homes not Bombs, PO Box 73620, 509 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto, ON M6C 1C0. (416) 651-5800. |
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