Archive for the Updates & Press Releases Category

Video: Time Magazine Interviews Benamar

By on September 8, 2011
This entry is filed under Torture, Updates & Press Releases, Video.

http://www.time.com/time/beyond911/#BenamarBenatta

We let fear and mistrust get the best of us… I hope I will be able to see the light; that I’ll be able to close the book on those dark days. —Benamar Benatta

Admin’s note: It’s hard to watch a friend recount the terrible things done to them. I fear, dear brother, that it is not you who needs to see the light. That those who need to see it the most are incapable of it. You have conducted yourself in stellar fashion even after they wronged you in the most fundamental of ways. They have made themselves look worse. Things have indeed changed since 9/11. Rights, once lost, are very hard to get back. It seems that they used to at least pretend. They seem not to be bothered with pretense anymore, because in their minds, they don’t have to. I wonder about those faces you talk about, the particular individuals that did these things to you. I wonder how they can sleep at night. Once again, I don’t have words for what I’m feeling. Actually I do have words, but you’ve set an example here. So I’ll just say… I’m sad and mad. I’m amazed by your optimism and resilience. You’re fighting, and we are behind you.

I hope visitors to this site will watch the video, and share it with someone else.

Ben’s case against the U.S.

By on March 25, 2011
This entry is filed under Torture, Updates & Press Releases.

Heads up: This Monday there’s an article coming out in Newsday about Ben’s civil case against the U.S. government. The government is arguing that the suit “violates” a settlement they reached with other plaintiffs.

“No, you can’t sue me for a slip and fall in my store. That would be a violation because another person fell in my store and we’ve already settled.”

(I thought I could make it sound more ridiculous.)

They also think that they did nothing wrong and owe Mr. Benatta nothing for their crimes against him. Why? Because, according to them, they had an “unprecedented” task, having to face the events of 9/11. Meaning, I suppose, “we’re not experienced” or maybe “this has never happened before”.

That’s actually misleading. First, it’s not true, we have faced threats and attacks in this country before so they DO know how they’re supposed to behave.

Second, rules of law that they violated were custom-made for times like these! For times of violence and confusion!

It’s like purposely violating every item on a tsunami safety tips sheet because there’s a tsunami coming. Or using the fact that there’s a tsunami coming to disregard and violate every safety measure on the list.

What was it, particularly, about their task that made it so difficult to avoid keeping a man imprisoned for years after the FBI exonerated him? What was it, about their task that made it necessary to torture him?

I can’t say it any better than U.S. Federal Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. did, when he demanded Ben’s release because he had been “undeniably deprived of his liberty”: it’s a “sham” that “borders on ridiculousness”.

Talk about precedence.

“It is going to be a long battle, but as I told my U.S. lawyer, I want John Ashcroft to answer for his actions. And I won’t give up until those responsible are held accountable…” —Benamar

What they did and are doing… a more ignoble thing I can not find.

Let us all hope that the judge rules with wisdom.

Rights groups demand full account on why man handed to U.S. officials

By on December 17, 2008
This entry is filed under Activism, Events, Updates & Press Releases. | 1 Comment

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.

Toronto man haunted by torture in U.S. jail

By on February 29, 2008
This entry is filed under Activism, Events, Updates & Press Releases.

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.

The 33-year-old former Algerian air force lieutenant still spends nights wondering why Canadian officials transported him across the border on Sept. 12, 2001 then handed him to American authorities. And, of course, there are recurring nightmares of five years spent in U.S. jails, despite being cleared by the FBI in November 2001 of having any links to the 9/11 attacks.

The Toronto man can still hear the taunts from jail guards who called him a terrorist; can still hear the jingle of keys as guards entered his cell every half-hour, waking him from a fitful slumber.

“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…

Latest News Articles about Benatta’s Case

By on January 27, 2008
This entry is filed under Activism, Events, Updates & Press Releases.

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.

The latest from Toronto Action for Social Change…

By on January 17, 2008
This entry is filed under Activism, Updates & Press Releases.

Matthew Behren for Toronto Action for Social Change, writing at Straight Goods, asks readers to support Benamar’s cause and sign our petition.

That’s the latest. Thank you Matthew Behren and Straight Goods.

Everyone please keep spreading the word… let’s flood that petition with signatures before the 30th…

Petition problem hopefully solved

By on January 13, 2008
This entry is filed under General, Updates & Press Releases and tagged .

Please go here:

http://benamarbenatta.com/how-you-can-help/the-petition/

…to sign the petition! We’ve had some problems with the original one; none of those signatures were lost, but since it’s not working at this time, we’ve provided a petition right here on benamar benatta dot com for you to sign. Your signatures and comments will be added to the original one, which can be seen here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/canadians-need-the-truth-about-benatta (opens in a new window).

I’m testing it now to see if it works and if it is sufficient to meet our needs.

Ruschia

A word from Benamar

By on November 30, 2007
This entry is filed under General, Updates & Press Releases. | 1 Comment

After over six years full of agony and anguish, my refugee status was granted on the 27th of this month (November) 2007, and I won the right to stay in Canada.

Although I am grateful for the right to remain in Canada, it is noteworthy to mention that I came to Canada over six years ago (on September 5, 2001) seeking asylum from political persecution—but I ended up spending years in United States prisons.

It is now clear that when Canadian officials falsely identified me to the U.S. officials as someone who has something to do with the events of the September 11, 2001 and then illegally transported me across the border on that same day and handed me over to U.S officials, they transported a refugee—not just a refugee claimant—in other words, someone who it had been determined was at risk and feared for his life and safety in his home country. Had I been granted due process and a hearing on the merits of my case on that month (of September 12) as required by Canadian and international Law, I would have been granted refugee status in Canada at that time, as it has been determined recently. Instead, Canadian Officials chose to overlook the law, put me in the back of a car and hand me over to U.S. officials where I have been tortured, abused and detained for nearly 5 years.

An adequate review process must follow. Such illegal actions in complete disregard to Canadian and international law must not be tolerated in a country were the rules of law apply. I deserve an answer as to how I came to be illegally handed over to U.S. officials in violation of Canadian and international law. In addition, Canadians need to know what went wrong in my case, whether there are any other similar cases and how future such injustices can be prevented.

Only by doing so and by correcting past mistakes, will Canada be able to restore a defamed reputation that was once cherished: a leader in the protection of human rights provisions around the globe.

Thank you,
Benamar

Events that are coming up

By on October 28, 2007
This entry is filed under Activism, Events, Updates & Press Releases. | 1 Comment

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.

Benamar Benatta and Supporters Attend Vigil

By on September 18, 2007
This entry is filed under Activism, Audio, Torture, Updates & Press Releases, Video. | 1 Comment

Interview with Benamar Benatta about recent vigil in Canada.

Interview with Nicole Chrolavicius about recent vigil in Canada.

Hopefully we’ll have permission to post video of the vigil that the Global National has locked down. As I understand it Nicole has inquired about obtaining the video as well.

We will keep you updated on any developments.

In the meantime, here is the latest I was able to obtain, an Indy Media interview about the case:

Interview with Benamar Benatta and Nicole Chrolavicius from Indy Media.

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