Statement: violating Charter rights
Channel: Linda Duncan
Date: 2018-09-18

Last evening I was made aware of the latest reprehensible action by this government against the Charter rights of Canadian Abousfian Abdelrazik.
Mr. Abdelrazik was in Sudan in 2003 visiting his ailing mother, when he was arrested by that country’s notorious security service. A 2009 Federal Court judgement revealed that CSIS was complicit in his arrest and subsequent prolonged and unlawful detention and torture.  
Finally released, Canada refused him a passport so that he could return to Canada. Yet Mr. Abdelrazik was never charged or convicted of any offence. He required a Federal Court order, based on a violation of his constitutionally guaranteed right to mobility, to finally reinite with  family. 
He filed a lawsuit, exercising his right to compensation for violation of his Charter rights.
Nine years later, and on the eve of his court hearing, this government, which claims to defend Charter rights, moved to have the trial adjourned indefinitely. 
Three successive governments have been complicit in these violations.
I call on this government to end their obstructive tactics and provide Mr. Abdelrazik with the redress that is his basic right. 
I call on all Canadians to demand justice for Mr. Abdelrazik.