A-Infos (en) Canada, Anarchist journal Linchpin #6 - Caravan against torture hits southern Ontario By Chris Shannon

Oct 19, 2008 marks the 7th anniversary of the detention of Hassan Almrei. Almrei 
has been locked up under Canada’s infamous Security Certificate legislation, 
which allows refugees and landed immigrants to be deported to their home 
countries or be held indefinitely. ---- Almrei is currently being held at the 
Kingston Immigration Holding Centre, or “Gantanamo North” as dubbed by critics. 
The facility cost $3.2 million to build and is staffed by 23 guards and 
administrators. Almrei is the centre’s only prisoner. ---- The federal court is 
currently in the process of hearing Almrei’s bail application. His attempts at 
gaining freedom have been unsuccessful three times so far making him cautious in 
his outlook.

“ I’m optimistic but realistic at the same time” he says. “At first I didn’t 
want to go through another bail hearing but the Judge told me if I didn’t I 
wouldn’t be allowed to have another one”

Almrei was picked up in October of 2001. Considered a security threat by CSIS 
and the Canadian government he was locked up without charge to await deportation 
to Syria. Human Rights activists and lawyers put the brakes on the process of 
deportation arguing that Almrei would surly be tortured once returned.

A movement built around Almrei and several co-accused. They were nicknamed “The 
Secret Trail 5”. All of them faced deportation to torture and a judicial regime 
where neither they nor their lawyers where allowed to see the evidence against them.

During his incarceration Almrei went on multiple hunger strikes sometimes for 
such simple rights as heat in his cell, and shoes to wear.

In February of 2007 the Supreme Court of Canada in a unanimous decision 
recognized that Security Certificates go against the “fundamental principals of 
justice” and gave parliament a year to redraft the legislation or have it struck 
down.

The government, instead of abolishing Security Certificates, added the provision 
of a Special Advocate. The Special Advocate has the power to see secret evidence 
and advocate for their client in hearings, but cannot consult with their client 
about that evidence.

“After all this treatment and abuse Hassan still has faith in the system and the 
Canadian Courts.”, says Matthew Behrens, organizer of The Campaign to Stop 
Secret Trials and The Caravan to End Torture. “Hassan has always wanted a fair 
and open process. If they believe he has done something wrong he has always said 
‘Charge me.’”

Although Almrei has always had the best legal help available, Behrens believes 
it is strong grassroots advocacy that has helped ‘The Secret Trial Five’. “In 
2000 the Security Certificate process was challenged at the Supreme Court and 
was upheld. In 2007 it was challenged again and it failed. The major difference 
was the public campaigns. These men were not just crazy passport photos anymore”

Behrens talks about how going on Ontario wide caravans has broadened the scope 
of the movement, and brought the issue into small communities. “The response has 
been overwhelming. The conservative heartland is not conservative at all. The 
caravans have had a catalyzing effect.”
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