We urge you to support this humane cause of the accused based on the fundamental rule of every one is presumed innocent until proven guilty, as in our charter of rights.

End solitary confinement. Respect the rights of detainees.

On November 8, 2007, the Toronto Star published an article by Thomas Walkom that exposed the conditions in which several men have been detained at the Don Jail in Toronto.

Fahim Ahmad, Zakaria Amara and Ali Dirie are part of the so-called “Toronto 18” – a group of Muslim men and boys who were arrested in June 2006 and accused of terror-related activity. These three men have been held in solitary confinement for 17 months, in cells that measure 6 X 7 X 10 feet.

According to a study by the Correctional Services of Canada, enforced segregation for 60 days is “the most individually destructive, psychologically crippling and socially alienating experience that could conceivably exist within the borders of the country.” In addition, the study notes that solitary confinement often leads to the development of psychosis (auditory and visual hallucinations and delusions), self-harm and suicide in detainees.

Prisoner advocates argue that 60 days is the maximum length of time that anyone should be held in solitary confinement. These three men have been held in solitary confinement for over 500 days, nearly nine times more than what is considered safe.

Despite the hysteria that surrounds their cases, these men remain innocent until proven guilty. Accordingly, the conditions of their detention must meet the minimum standards provided to other detainees: regular access to meals, education, exercise outside their cells and social activity. The conditions of their detention must not be used as punishment for crimes for which they have not been convicted.

As Canadian citizens, these men have the right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Their current conditions of detention are a violation of this right and of existing legislation that prevents cruel and unusual punishment in Canada.

We would like to remind you that Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that “No One shall be subjected to torture or to cruel inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.”

We believe that any such punishment given to any prisoner, whether convicted or not, is inhumane and violate fundamental human rights. The government and the people of Canada have committed to protecting the rights of all human beings and must take notice, and take action.

Therefore, we demand that Fahim Ahmad, Zakaria Amara and Mohammed Dirie:

- Be released immediately from solitary confinement;

- Be guaranteed conditions of detention that meet the minimum standards provided to other detainees;

- Be guaranteed their constitutional rights through the establishment of safeguards by the appropriate authorities.

Please fax completed petitions to:

Hon. Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services (Ontario): 416-325-6067

Hon. Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety (Federal): 613-954-5186 or 613-995-1154

For more info please visit these reccommended websites:

http://PresumptionOfInnocence.ca
http://CaptiveInCanada.com
http://Toronto18.ca

Monday 14 JULY, 2008, at 7:30 pm

Bloor Street United Church, 300 Bloor Street West, Toronto

at Huron, one block west of St. George Street, 2 blocks east of Spadina

(Use St. George or Spadina subway, or park behind the church)

For information, advance ticket purchases, media interviews with the speakers contact

Terry Burrows, Project Coordinator
Skeptics’ Inquiry For Truth [SIFT]
www.911inquiry.org

E-mail: events@911inquiry.org

Telephone: 416-784-9114

P.O. Box 41011 - 2795 Bathurst Street, Toronto ON M6B 4J6.

Sponsored by Skeptics’ Inquiry For Truth and Global Outlook Magazine.