Justice in Tiers: Security Certificate Detention in Canada
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Published
2008-12-01
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ARTICLES
Mike Larsen is a PhD candidate in Sociology at York University and a Researcher at the York Centre for International and Security Studies (YCISS). He has recently become a Managing Editor of the Journal of Prisoners on Prisons. His work deals with contemporary policies of indefinite and preventive detention, with a specific focus on Canada’s security certificate regime which combines a critical sociology of law with investigative work using Access to Information law. Mike was one of the organizers of the Universal Carceral Colloquium at ICOPA XII. His chapter “Governing Non-Citizens as Security Threats: Canada’s Security Certificate Regime” is forthcoming in the YCISS edited volume Violent Interventions.
Sophie Harkat, from Ottawa, Canada, became an activist overnight after her husband Mohamed Harkat was arrested under a security certificate on December 10, 2002 (International Human Rights Day). Since Moe’s release on bail in June 2006, Sophie has had to juggle the roles of activist and full-time jailer to her own husband. Moe has become her hero, and biggest source of inspiration and motivation. Her simple life has became a nightmare, but along the way she has gained support, love, and respect from many and is now dedicated to standing up to the injustices of her own government, including abolishing security certificates. You can visit the Justice for Mohamed Harkat website at http://www.justiceforharkat. com/news.php .
Mohamed Harkat was born in Algeria and left at an early age in light of the tense political situation and his involvement with the Front Islamique du Salut. He sought employment at a refugee camp in Pakistan and eventually moved to Canada in 1995, and was granted refugee status in 1997. He built a life in Ottawa, working three jobs and married Sophie in early 2001. His peaceful life was shattered when he was arrested on a security certificate. Since then he has spent 43 months in detention, followed by 2.5years of house arrest. He has maintained his innocence from the start and looks forward to clearing his name, settling down to raise a family, and being able to live without fear. In the meantime, he draws strength from his family, and he is surrounded by dedicated supporters and a wonderful legal team.