Archive for July 2007

A word from Nicole Chrolavicius

By on July 13, 2007
This entry is filed under Activism, General. | 1 Comment

I am Benamar Benatta’s lawyer. The circumstances of Benamar’s case are the worst I have ever heard. An innocent man, he was illegally transferred to the U.S. by Canadian officials on September 12, 2001 with nothing but prejudicial suspicions. He was locked away in the Metropolitian Detention Centre in Brooklyn under John Ashcroft’s insidious “preventative detention” regime. He was forgotten by Canada. He was tortured, abused and arbitrarily detained for nearly five years. Where do we even begin to obtain justice for Benamar?

Well, first of all, we need answers. We need to put pressure on the Canadian government to review the circumstances of Benamar’s illegal transfer. We need to call Canadian officials to account for their illegal actions. We need to reaffirm human rights principles and the rule of law. We need to make sure this never happens again.

I hope that when you read about Benamar’s case, you feel compelled to lend your voice in speaking out against the injustices he endured. Join the Benatta Coalition for a Public Review and post a comment of support. Benamar regularly views this site and your expressions of support mean more than words can describe.

Together, we will find the truth. In truth, there will be justice. That is what Benamar, and Canadians alike, deserve.

Nicole

New Audio Interviews Posted

By on July 13, 2007
This entry is filed under Audio.

I have just posted new audio interviews on the Media Coverage page. The Prison Radio interview is in two parts.

And thanks to this site and rabble.ca for making available the in-depth interview with Nicole Chrolavicius about Benatta’s case. If you’re not familiar with the particulars, this interview might be a good start.

Take action: Sign the Petition for a Public Review into Benatta’s Case

By on July 13, 2007
This entry is filed under Activism. | 1 Comment

Click here to sign the petition. The details are there as well as a letter, which will be forwarded both to the Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Stockwell Day the Minister of Public Safety. Spread the word, these officials need to hear the voices of Canadians.

There will be a petition for Americans shortly.

Ruschia

Service Interruptions/Important Announcement *Edited*

By on July 1, 2007
This entry is filed under General. | 2 Comments

I wanted to apprise our readers that we’re having some service interruptions. We felt that our old hosting service was not meeting our needs, so we are in the process of changing to another hosting provider. Hopefully we will have everything back to normal, and new users will again be able to register. It sucks, but better go through the change now, than to continue going through unacceptable service interruptions. So please be patient with us as we go through this transition.

After everything’s in working order again, we will be implementing ways in which everyone can help Ben, both on the Canadian side and the American side. There are many, many others in these and similar situations. There are so many abuses going on that it’s overwhelming. For my own part, I am often confronted by statements such as… “There’s so many who need help, you can’t help them all,” and similar discouraging sentiments. My answer to that is that here’s one person we CAN help. We can’t allow these abuses to go on to placate our intellectual laziness. It’s easy to throw up our hands and declare the situation is “bigger” than we are, and that somehow we are powerless. If we are powerless, it is because we choose not to exercise the power that we have. I have the power to help Benamar Benatta, in whatever capacity that is. Everyone can do something. All we’re asking is for concerned people to do what is in their power to do. Everyone has the power to write a letter. Make a phone call. Show support. Make your voices heard.

Soon, we will be giving you the opportunity to do just that. So please keep checking back. When the registration process is working again, I’ll post and let everyone know.

Edit: Thanks to our tech magician Mr. CT, the site is functional again. Everything should be working fine; new comers can now register again. If anyone notices anything that’s broken let us know. Otherwise we are back on track. Many thanks to CT!

Ruschia