Media Advisory

Public Hearings to shed light on immigration 'security' measures

What? PUBLIC HEARINGS of the People's Commission into Immigration Security Measures

When? Friday, 21 April, 10am to noon; continuing throughout the weekend

Where? CÉDA, 2515 Délisle (near métro Lionel Groulx)

More information: tel 514 222 0205 or 514 267 3701

Montreal, 18 April ⅃ Security certificate detainee Adil Charkaoui and former Solicitor-General Warren Allmand will be among the witnesses appearing before the People's Commission into Immigration 'Security' Measures this weekend.

The People's Commission was launched in late March to investigate injustices migrants are facing in the name of national security, including denial of fair trials and use of secret evidence, indefinite detention, threats of deportation to torture and practices of racial profiling and security labelling.

Commissioners, members of the public and journalists will have the opportunity to question witnesses about issues related to immigration security measures during three days of Public Hearings this weekend. Witnesses include other individuals directly targetted by such measures, legal experts involved in the Supreme Court challenge to security certificates, academics, and experts on CSIS.

The hearings open this Friday at 10am with a welcome from Mohawk elder Tekarontake. The first set of witnesses include Alex Neve, Executive Director of Amnesty International Canada; Hind Charkaoui, sister of Adil Charkaoui; Victor Regalado, a Salvadoran refugee subject to a "security certificate" in 1982; and Tekarontake. The hearings continue Friday afternoon and all day Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 6pm each day. Full programme:  www.peoplescommission.ath.cx.

The nine Commissioners overseeing the inquiry are expected to release a report of their findings and recommendations in mid-May.

More information: tel 514 222 0205 or 514 267 3701

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Media Invitation

What:  Press Conference
Topic:  Launch of People's Commission on Immigration "Security" Measures
When:  Tuesday, 28 March, 11 am
Where: Black Coalition of Quebec, 5201 Décarie Blvd. (Snowdon metro)

Quebec's first People's Commission will be launched on Tuesday, following the seventh annual action week against racism. Nine Commissioners will be mandated to investigate abuses related to immigration security measures, under which non-citizens are being held in arbitrary, indefinite detention under threat of deportation to countries where they have been assessed to be at risk of torture.

The People's Commission is being organised in the months prior to the Supreme Court hearings on the constitutionality of the security certificates. Security certificates have emerged as a focal point in the ongoing struggle of immigrants for equality in Canada and in the public outcry over expanding government powers of surveillance and control advancing under cover of the "war on terror".

The People's Commission will create a popular forum for communities to consider these issues in depth and to develop strategies to break the fear and address these problematic policies.

A light lunch will be served.

More information: tel. 514 222 0205 or 514 267 3701