 |
|||
| May Update 2009 | |||
| BCCLA Police Accountability Blog | Abousfian Abdelrazik | ||
Whether it's tasers, unlawful searches, the police complaints process or the investigation of police-related deaths, we're interested in what communities across Canada have to say. Starting June 1, you can access the blog by going directly to RightsCity.org or through the BCCLA website. For the most up-to-date and in-depth commentary on policing issues go to RightsCity.org! |
The BCCLA expressed concerns about the conduct of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with respect to Abousfian Abdelrazik, a Canadian citizen who has been in de facto exile in Sudan since 2003. Mr. Abdelzarik’s allegations, if true, show the Canadian government engaging in wrongful conduct. By providing intelligence about Mr. Abdelzarik to the Sudanese government, and then requesting that it indefinitely detain him without charge in one of the most notorious prison systems in the world, Canada has engaged in conduct in violation of its international human rights obligations and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. |
||
In a series of easy-to-read webpages, this valuable new resource gives clear and straightforward answers to questions on topics ranging from how to get access to your own personal information, to privacy rights on the job and the privacy of your health information. It explains how to protect yourself from identity theft and from spam, phishing and spyware, when credit reporting agencies can collect and disclose information about you, when you have to give out your Social Insurance Number and much more. If you have a question about your privacy, you’ll probably find the answer in Privacy: Why It’s Important and How to Protect it on the BCCLA website, at www.bccla.org. |
|||
| Afghanistan Prisoners’ Case in Limbo | Right to Water | ||
|
The decision by the Supreme Court of Canada not to hear the case of how the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canada’s international human rights obligations apply to the transfer of prisoners in Afghanistan is a setback for protection of prisoners everywhere.
|
Lack of access to water is an issue on the streets of Vancouver that directly affects the homeless and the poor but has implications for us all. The situation is dire on many of Canada’s First Nations reserves too, where the treaty and constitutionally based responsibility of the federal government to provide the basics of life to First Nations members has been shamefully neglected. |
||
| BCPWA Forum: Electronic Health Records – What You Need to Know | |||
The fundamental principles of medical privacy and patient confidentiality are under serious threat from "e-Health" and most people don't know anything about it. Come to this community forum for a rare opportunity to hear from both the BC government and patient privacy advocates about how this transformation of health care will affect your rights. Thursday, June 18th from
6 - 8 pm |
|||
| The Other Arars: Where the Exception is the Rule | |||
Friday June 26th at 6:30 PM Limited seating, please arrive early to guarantee seating. Adil Charkaoui is a Morocco-born permanent resident of Canada who was arrested by the Canadian government under a security certificate in May 2003 in Montreal. Along with four other Muslim men, he constitutes the “Secret Trial Five” held under a provision of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that allows for the preventive arrest and detention of non-citizens, without charge, under secret evidence, that can lead to indefinite detention and possible deportation to torture. From the beginning of his ordeal, Charkaoui challenged the legitimacy of the entire security certificate regime. In 2007, after years of grassroots campaigning at the national and international level and condemnations of Canada from Amnesty International and two United Nations Committees, the Supreme Court of Canada finally ruled that the security certificate process was unconstitutional. However, rather than abolishing security certificates, the government legislated a new "special advocate" model in Come hear directly from Adil Charkaoui about his struggle against this regime of secrecy, injustice, racism, abuse of civil liberties, and expanding state control. Hosted by No One Is Illegal-Vancouver, BC Civil Liberties Association, Canadian Muslim Union, Council of Canadians - BC / Yukon Region, Canadian Islamic Congress, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. For information, contact 604 630 9754 or 778 552 2099 or info@bccla.org Justice for Adil Charkaoui Campaign: http://www.adilinfo.org |
|||
| Calling All Civil Liberties Champions... | |||
BCCLA members are the heart of our Association and make our work possible. If you are not already a member, please sign up today to champion civil liberties and human rights in Canada. You can join the BCCLA or renew your membership online or contact Sarah directly at sarah@bccla.org or 604-630-9750. Thank you! |
|||
| Civil Liberties Update is a summary of some of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association's recent work. The Association publishes a newsletter, The Democratic Commitment, an annual report and posts its positions, submissions, legal arguments and news releases at www.bccla.org. | |||
To unsubscribe from the Update please contact us by e-mail. |
|||
“The case was likely rejected because of a lack of facts about specific cases”, says 
Access to clean water is increasingly being seen as a human right and a civil liberties issue. The BCCLA recognizes the right to adequate supplies of clean drinking water as a human need foundational to effective participation as a democratic citizen and deserving of protection as both a civil liberty and a human right at the municipal, provincial and national level.
Adil Charkaoui
