Restored Dignity
I retain sufficient trust in my government - sharing a keen awareness of our vulnerability in the intentions of jihadists skilled at covert infiltration of Canada's society with a view to surmounting national defences - to make a deliberate choice, believing in the former, discounting the declarations of innocence of the latter. Algerian-born Mohamed Harkat who emigrated to Canada and subsequently was considered by Canada's security agencies a potential threat as an al-Qaeda sleeper agent, has been permitted to exit incarceration, living for several years under strict bail conditions.
He has the option of returning to Algeria, his country of birth, thus solving his legal problems in Canada where he is seen as an agent of jihad. At the same time ridding the country of the presence of someone whose background is sufficiently suspicious and of whom known terrorists have been known to speak of as one of their own. But he has consistently claimed that he cannot return to Algeria, that his life would be endangered because of claims that he represents a danger to society through his presumed jihadist affiliation.
"I have been persecuted on some things I never done, I have nothing left to lose, I have already lost everything, I am trying to get my dignity back and clear my name of all allegations", he said, addressing several dozen supporters in front of the Elgin Street Human Rights Monument in Ottawa. Originally arrested on a security certificate, Mr. Harkat lives an uneasy life, wearing a GPS ankle bracelet, continually shadowed by members of the Canada Border Service Agency, unable to freely and spontaneously do as he would like in the free and open society that Canada represents.
Because he is seen as a threat to the safety and stability of the country Mr. Harkat has suffered the indignity of incarceration, and a relentless watch by the country's intelligence agencies. "My family is devastated" he agonized, addressing the tight little crowd. "...my name and reputation is destroyed, all in the name of national security." All in the name of national security? Well yes, this is most certainly true. What other purpose would there be in isolating and decommissioning someone who poses as an underground threat to the country?
National security is fairly vital to the well-being and future of any country, no less to Canada. The government has an obligation, politically and legally, to ensure the safety of its population, threatened often enough - verbally to this point - by fanatical Islamists whose purpose is the complete destabilization of Western society, and the bloodier the more effective in inspiring the terror, fear and uncertainty that they rely upon to spread their message.
He may be put out of his misery in June when a Federal Court determines the reasonableness of the government's declaration that he is a sleeper agent for al-Qaeda.
"I am angry at the system for allowing such darkness. Every day I live with a huge cloud over my head, reminding of the possibility of being deported to where I will face jail, torture or death because I have been labeled a terrorist by the Canadian government. We will never get to the bottom of their case without a fair and open trial." Islamist jihadists are not known for their 'fair and open' operations, their techniques owe nothing to legal obligations and decency, owing everything to their burning desire to commit atrocities in the name of Islamic jihad.
Perhaps Pakistan would be agreeable to welcoming Mr. Harkat back. On the other hand, they might not. But there are, most certainly, areas of the world where Mr. Harkat would be welcomed, and where he could initiate a new start in life. He is yet a young man. If Canada, where he sought to integrate himself into a community of communities has so unfairly violated his human rights, he has the freedom to seek succour elsewhere.
The thing of it is, weighing in the balance is one man's complaint that he has been unjustly accused of seeking to harm the peace and security of a nation, against that very nation's right and obligation to secure its safety from the covertly deadly intent of global jihadism. No contest.
He has the option of returning to Algeria, his country of birth, thus solving his legal problems in Canada where he is seen as an agent of jihad. At the same time ridding the country of the presence of someone whose background is sufficiently suspicious and of whom known terrorists have been known to speak of as one of their own. But he has consistently claimed that he cannot return to Algeria, that his life would be endangered because of claims that he represents a danger to society through his presumed jihadist affiliation.
"I have been persecuted on some things I never done, I have nothing left to lose, I have already lost everything, I am trying to get my dignity back and clear my name of all allegations", he said, addressing several dozen supporters in front of the Elgin Street Human Rights Monument in Ottawa. Originally arrested on a security certificate, Mr. Harkat lives an uneasy life, wearing a GPS ankle bracelet, continually shadowed by members of the Canada Border Service Agency, unable to freely and spontaneously do as he would like in the free and open society that Canada represents.
Because he is seen as a threat to the safety and stability of the country Mr. Harkat has suffered the indignity of incarceration, and a relentless watch by the country's intelligence agencies. "My family is devastated" he agonized, addressing the tight little crowd. "...my name and reputation is destroyed, all in the name of national security." All in the name of national security? Well yes, this is most certainly true. What other purpose would there be in isolating and decommissioning someone who poses as an underground threat to the country?
National security is fairly vital to the well-being and future of any country, no less to Canada. The government has an obligation, politically and legally, to ensure the safety of its population, threatened often enough - verbally to this point - by fanatical Islamists whose purpose is the complete destabilization of Western society, and the bloodier the more effective in inspiring the terror, fear and uncertainty that they rely upon to spread their message.
He may be put out of his misery in June when a Federal Court determines the reasonableness of the government's declaration that he is a sleeper agent for al-Qaeda.
"I am angry at the system for allowing such darkness. Every day I live with a huge cloud over my head, reminding of the possibility of being deported to where I will face jail, torture or death because I have been labeled a terrorist by the Canadian government. We will never get to the bottom of their case without a fair and open trial." Islamist jihadists are not known for their 'fair and open' operations, their techniques owe nothing to legal obligations and decency, owing everything to their burning desire to commit atrocities in the name of Islamic jihad.
Perhaps Pakistan would be agreeable to welcoming Mr. Harkat back. On the other hand, they might not. But there are, most certainly, areas of the world where Mr. Harkat would be welcomed, and where he could initiate a new start in life. He is yet a young man. If Canada, where he sought to integrate himself into a community of communities has so unfairly violated his human rights, he has the freedom to seek succour elsewhere.
The thing of it is, weighing in the balance is one man's complaint that he has been unjustly accused of seeking to harm the peace and security of a nation, against that very nation's right and obligation to secure its safety from the covertly deadly intent of global jihadism. No contest.
Labels: Crisis Politics, Government of Canada
posted by Pieface | 6:34 PM
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