Benatta Coalition for a Public Review

Human rights groups called on the Canadian government yesterday, (December 11, 2008) to provide a full account as to why Mr. Benatta was transferred to the United States one day after the September 11 attacks.

In a letter to Public Safety Minister, Peter Van Loan, supporters of Benatta said they were “dismayed” to learn Ottawa claims it did nothing wrong.

Such a defense “undermines public confidence in the government’s commitment to safeguarding human rights in the context of national security,” wrote representatives of groups such as Amnesty International Canada, Canadian Council for Refugees and International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group.

To read the letter that was submitted by the human rights groups click here.

To read the Toronto Star article regarding the letter, click here.

Latest article:

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/308114

Ben is is scheduled to speak tonight at the Noor Cultural Centre. Discussion starts at 7:30 pm. Admission: $5.

Go if you can.

Some highlights from the above article:

Benamar Benatta rarely sleeps more than three or four hours a night.

“I’m not the same person I used to be before Sept. 12, who was full of life and full of spirit,” said Benatta, whose feet and hands bear scars from his time in jail. “It’s like they’ve marked me for the rest of my life. It wasn’t only five years of detention – what they did to me will hurt me the rest of my life,” said Benatta…

Blurbs from Ottawa Xpress: “On Jan. 30, Benatta will march with supporters to deliver a petition with close to 1,000 signatures to Prime Minister Harper…”

“Canada’s First 9/11 Rendition to Torture: An Evening with Benamar Benatta happens Tuesday, January 29, at 7:30 p.m. at Public Service Alliance of Canada Hall (233 Gilmour St., at Metcalfe).” Click here for the article in its entirety.

Click here for an extensive article at The Ottawa Citizen.

I wish to take this opportunity to wish good luck to Benamar and all the kind folks who will be marching with him on the 30th. Good luck!

Also, I’d like to remind everyone to keep spreading the word, tell your friends and family about this case and our petition… And to those who’ve taken it upon themselves to write their own personal letters to their representatives or to Editors of newspapers (online and off), thank you as well!

Though Ben has indeed finally won his refugee case, it’s not over yet. Still—no public review has been forthcoming. Not acceptable. Let’s keep making noise.

An Evening with Benamar Benatta:
Tuesday, January 29, 7:30 pm
Public Service Alliance of Canada Hall,
233 Gilmour Street- (at Metcalfe)-Ottawa-(Free Access)

Demand a Public Review for Benamar Benatta:
Vigil and Walk to Prime Minister’s office to Present Petitions demanding a public review
Wednesday, January 30, at 10:30 am
Meet at Eternal Flame, Parliament Hill.