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Politics : America Under Siege: The End of Innocence -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lorne who wrote (21262)	1/30/2003 8:47:10 AM
From: DeplorableIrredeemableRedneck	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 27754

AWWW da poor, poor wabbit... Anti-terrorism laws raise concern of Arabs, Muslims Groups feel targeted by security measures, solicitor general told Jennifer Saltman and Rick Mofina The Ottawa Citizen Thursday, January 30, 2003 A looming war with Iraq makes it crucial for the Canadian government to guard against abuses of the country's anti-terrorism laws, say Arab and Muslim community leaders. "It's been very critical since Sept. 11, and it's becoming more critical as time goes by with the ongoing war on terrorism and the upcoming war in Iraq," said Raja G. Khouri, national president of the Canadian Arab Federation. Mr. Khouri was part of a delegation of Arab and Muslim groups, which included representatives of the Pakistani and Afghan communities, that met yesterday with Solicitor General Wayne Easter to press their concerns. The groups say Arabs and Muslims have been targets of harassment by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the RCMP and security officials at airports and other entry points to Canada. They allege authorities make surprise visits to the homes of Arabs and Muslims to conduct lengthy interviews and some have accused Arabs and Muslims in Canada of behaving like terrorists. There are concerns that harassment will worsen in the event of a war with Iraq. "We'd like education for police across the country in terms of letting them know the anti-terrorism act is not a licence to harass and abuse people and it's not open season on Arabs and Muslims," Mr. Khouri said. Prior to the meeting, Mr. Easter said he wanted to assure the delegation the federal government's anti-terrorism law is not targeting certain groups. "I want to be able to assure people that their civil liberties are not being violated by some of the decisions that we have to make as a federal government," Mr. Easter said yesterday following a meeting of the Liberal caucus. Transport Minister David Collenette suggested no hard evidence has surfaced to support claims that some groups have been singled out for unwarranted scrutiny. "I have concerns if it's true. I'd like to have some evidence to that effect," Mr. Collenette said. "There's been too much anecdotal evidence that's going around these days. Let's have proof. If there's proof, we'll deal with it." Mr. Khouri said people are afraid that complaining will lead to further abuses and want the government to establish a mechanism allowing them to file complaints without fear of retribution. Syrian-born Liberal MP Sarkis Assadourian said Arab-Canadians are facing a difficult situation. "Sure it's bad, and for no reason," said Mr. Assadourian, who could not predict if war with Iraq would lead to an intense backlash against Arab and Muslims in Canada. © Copyright 2003 The Ottawa Citizen