September 3, 2005
Secret trial Detainee Hassan Almrei is now on day 73 of his hunger-strike. After almost four years in solitary confinement without charge, held on secret evidence, all Almrei is currently asking for is the same conditions as federal prisoners: one hour outside his cell per day; the right to wear normal clothes instead of an orange jumpsuit; radio and tv. Things that would make it slightly easier for him as he awaits the conclusion of lengthy legal processes which will determine the legality of indefinite detention, deportation to torture, and denial of bail. Hassan is in constant pain. He cannot lie down because his ribs are so sore. He does not have the strength to stand or walk. He is afraid to sleep now for fear he will not wake up. His body, like his life, is rapidly running out of options. He is heartened by the outpouring of support from Canadians across this country.
Secret trial detainee Mohammad Mahjoub is on day 59 of a hunger strike, also demanding minimally decent conditions of detention, including contact visits with his two young children, as he awaits numerous court decisions similar to Hassan's. He is weak and has lost a great deal of weight, but wants Canadians to know how much he appreciates their support.
Both men are held under the secret trial security certificate at Metro West Detention Centre in Toronto.
Although hundreds of calls have been made, hundreds of letters and faxes written, demonstrations have taken place in Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and in Toronto (scheduled for 4 pm Saturday at Metro West), nothing has been done by the authorities who could so easily make the decision to provide the prisoners with their simple and fully justified demands.
Before the long weekend gets underway, please CALL AND WRITE to the appropriate ministers, and demand that they takes steps toward the kind of solution that will enable these men to end their hunger strikes. Each claims that the other is responsible, so best to contact BOTH. Below are their addresses.
In the meantime, you can also help by:
1. Writing to the detainees: contact tasc@web.ca for their addresses
2. Donating to our work, an unpopular cause which does not receive anywhere near the funding we require to end secret trials and deportation to torture. Cheques can be made out to Homes not Bombs and mailed to PO Box 73620, 509 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto, ON M6C 1C0
3. LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN AT THE SECRET TRIALS HOME PAGE, CLICK HERE
4. Go to this link to hear an interview with Hassan on Day 70 of his hunger strike: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=program-info&program_id=13955&nav=&
ADDRESSES OF THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO LET THESE TWO MEN DIE RATHER THAN NEGOTIATE A SOLUTION:
In Ontario, it is Monte Kwinter,
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
18th floor, 25 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, ON, M7A 1Y6
Phone: (416) 325-0408
Fax: (416) 325-6067
mkwinter.mpp@liberal.ola.org
In Ottawa, Anne McLellan, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Sir Wilfred Laurier Blvd. 13th Floor 340 Laurier Ave. Ottawa,
ON K1A 0P8 Phone: (613) 992-4524 Fax: (613) 943-0044 or
McLellan.A@parl.gc.ca
Thanks!
The Campaign to Stop Secret Trials, PO Box 73620, 509 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto, ON M6C 1C0, (416) 651-5800, tasc@web.ca