Tales of a Solitary Soul

Today is the Amnesty International's event day for the write-a-thon. In short, millions of people across the world are going to write to the concerned authorities about the violations of human rights.

Amnesty has chosen about 20 different topics to write on this year -- ranging from the forced prostitution of women in Kosovo to imprisonment of activists in Uzbekistan. Since charity begins at home, I decided to write on the use of security certificates in Canada.

Hopefully, enough letters get written to have an effect. For added pressure, I touched upon the stance of each party on human right issues as being the deciding factor for my vote in the upcoming elections. Even if no one reads it, insha Allah (God willing), I will be rewarded for my intention so it's a win-win scenario to me. Unfortunalely, my efforts in making this a GIVE event were shot down but insha Allah next year.

Dear Prime Minister:

I am an engineering student at the University of Alberta and have been involved with several volunteer organizations. As a concerned Canadian citizen, I write to you about the use of security certificates that violate the rights of due process and provide sweeping powers to the law enforcement agencies.

Canada has always been at the forefront at condemning human right violations around the world and has served as a model example of a country that places great significance on abiding with international law. Thus, it pains me greatly to see that we have followed in the footsteps of other countries, such as US, in drafting laws that allow detention on scanty evidence and further hinder a person’s right to defend him or herself.

The power of the authorities to detain someone on suspicious activities can lead to widespread abuse. This will certainly lead to detention upon dubious grounds, caused by paranoia or a personal bias towards an individual or a community at large. Are we going to start to detain every person that looks like a ‘terrorist’ or that seems to behave like one?

Not only can the decision be based on the ‘reasonableness’ basis but it further prevents the accused from accessing the full body of evidence. How can we possibly expect an individual to defend himself when their lawyer cannot be present during court proceedings?

Even thought the security certificates can be applied to non-citizens only, infringing on an individual’s right is an issue of justice that should not differentiate between gender, religion, race, or immigration status. As Canada has started to become a hub for immigrants and refugees the last few years, such an act would only serve to deter the law abiding people around the world who would wish to call our great land home one day.

Finally, with the arrival of elections and another possibility of a minority government, issue of rights could very well decide for many voters which party they want to vote for. I know it will certainly play a big part in my family’s decision.

Thank you for taking the time to read through my letter.

Regards,

Faraz Ahmed
Concerned Canadian Citizen

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