FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Muslim Council of Montreal applauds Arar’s compensation package and states that more actions are needed to protect human rights and freedoms
Montreal, Quebec, Jan. 28th, 2006- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
thanks the Canadian government and Prime Minister for awarding Mr. Maher
Arar $10.5 million in compensation for the grievous wrongs he suffered.
“This decision sends a clear message that the practice of unfounded
suspicion and cooperation with those who inflict torture on others is not
acceptable in the least and those responsible for these acts will be held
accountable,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We also thank Mr.
Stephen Harper for his efforts in trying to clear Mr. Arar’s name in the
States and having his name removed from the no-fly list.”
“Although no amount of money could possibly undo the pain and harm
suffered by Mr. Arar and his family throughout this ordeal, the apology
and compensation are an important part of their healing process and
further establishes Mr. Arar’s innocence.”
MCM disagrees with the suggestion of the US Ambassador that this issue
relates solely to the United States; rather it is an issue of human rights
and civil liberty. It is imperative for the American government to resolve
this issue immediately as the presence of Mr. Arar’s name on the no-fly
list effects not only his travels to the States, but also around the
world.
“The United States of America has always been quick to criticize other
nations in respect to their violations of human rights and did not
consider this to be unwarranted meddling in their internal affairs,”
Elmenyawi said. “If the American government will purport any longer to be
an advocate for freedom and human rights, then it must step up and act
now.”
MCM hopes that the federal government will continue to take this matter
seriously by addressing the following pending issues:
* Hold accountable all members of CSIS and RCMP who were responsible
for providing false and misleading information, which lead to the
arrest and torture of Mr. Arar;
* Establish a system of checks and balances to ensure such injustices
do not occur again;
* Create an independent watchdog body to monitor and oversee all
national security operations;
* Introduce legislation to ban:
a) the supply of information to foreign governments that engage,
directly or indirectly, in
torture or where
there is a risk that the information be used to torture people;
b) the use of foreign information obtained through the means of
torture;
c) the deportation of any person to countries where there is a
risk they will be tortured.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Tel.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
E-mail: info@muslimcouncil.org
Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org
