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Background to Hassan's case:

Dr. Hassan Diab was recently arrested by the RCMP based on a request by the French Republic. Family, friends, and colleagues who have known Hassan over the years have shared his state of shock since the highly publicized arrest on Thursday, November 13, 2008 (Ottawa Citizen, November 15).

Despite knowing that he was under investigation and was spied upon, Hassan remained in Ottawa and continued teaching part-time at Carleton University and University of Ottawa. Until shortly before October, 2007, Hassan had traveled internationally, lectured and published research under his own name, and enjoyed a very engaged public life. Despite being a law-abiding Canadian citizen and with no convictions in any country, Hassan was suddenly arrested by the RCMP while getting dressed on Thursday, November 13, 2008. Hassan has been brought to jail in handcuffs; he spends day and night in solitary confinement. He is treated like a convicted criminal. He had no access to any media until November 26th. His request to be moved to a less restrictive section "protective custody" has been denied. The guards have questioned him regarding what he allegedly did. He was asked (a number of times) whether he is a terrorist and whether he is part of a sleeper cell. He has always appeared in the heavily-guarded courtroom with shackles in his legs. Despite being in solitary confinement, Hassan has no access to books, and he is allowed visitors (through a glass window) only twice a week (for about 20 minutes).

We ask for your help in ensuring that Hassan's human and civil rights are respected, that he receives due process under the law in Canada, and that he is not extradited to France based on charges and evidence that would not stand up in a Canadian court. Our hope for due process in Canada is tempered by the knowledge that allegations of terrorism receive very prejudicial treatment in the media, and that since September 11, 2001, many countries have passed tough anti-terror laws that weaken safeguards on the rights of the accused. According to Canwest News Service (November 18), the French authorities' interest in this case and an alleged suspect surfaced only after Nicolas Sarkozy became president last year. The Human Rights Watch organization (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7484587.stm) recently reported that France violates human rights in relation to its anti-terrorism laws through its use of "catch-all offense" to charge suspects even those with very vague links to alleged terrorist organizations. These suspects face long detention periods, have limited access to lawyers and often face physical violence during interrogation.

We ask that you follow Hassan's case closely and sensitize the public to the human rights issues at stake in his case. The judge will decide regarding bail on Wednesday, December 3rd at 2 pm (161 Elgin Street, Ottawa). Please be there to support due process for Hassan in Canada.

Thank you,
The Hassan Diab Support Committee