FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Essagheir-Jaser Case: The Quebec Collective Against Islamophobia condemns the political opportunism of the Harper government and the opportunism and incompetence of « representatives of the Muslim community in Canada »
Montreal, Quebec, April 29, 2013 – Essagheir-Jaser Case: The Quebec Collective Against Islamophobia / Le Collectif Québécois Contre l’Islamophobie (CQCI) condemns both the political opportunism of the Harper government and the opportunism and incompetence of so-called representatives of the Muslim community in Canada.
The timing of these arrests (one week after the attacks in Boston), the hasty adoption of Bill S-7 (controversial provisions of anti-terrorism legislation passed in the aftermath of September 11, 2001) as well as the enlargement of the scope of Bill C-425, allowing for the revocation of citizenship, are all for the CQCI convincing evidence that the « war against terrorism » has become an inexhaustible trademark for a government unpopular to Quebecers and Canadians (seasonal workers, artists, cultural communities, civil servants …).
Moreover, the CQCI denounces the participation of « leaders of the Muslim community » in Canada and some imams in the staging of the announcement of the arrests of Essagheir from Quebec and Jaser from Toronto.
The CQCI also denounces the clumsy reactions of « representatives of the Muslim community » in Canada (press releases CAIR-CAN and the Canadian Muslim Forum, as well as the press conference held in Ottawa).
Finally, the CQCI demands a fair trial according to the principles of fundamental justice and respect for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of Canada and Quebec for both Mr. Essagheir and Mr. Jaser who should benefit, as all Canadians and Quebecers, from the presumption of innocence.
The Quebec Collective Against Islamophobia
E-mail: info@islamophobiequebec.org
Website: www.islamophobiequebec.org
Facebook: collectif.contreislamophobie@facebook.com
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