Arar Commissioner thanks CAIR-CAN for participation in inquiry

CAIR-CAN presents submission on security agency review mechanisms

The Commissioner of the Arar inquiry, Justice Dennis O'Connor, has thanked CAIR-CAN for its professional and continuous participation in the inquiry after CAIR-CAN made what is likely to be its final appearance before the Commission.

Yesterday, CAIR-CAN and the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) presented the inquiry with a joint submission recommending the creation of a new oversight body to review all government and police agencies involved in national security. The inquiry, which is investigating the tragic case of Maher Arar, is also mandated to recommend a new review mechanism for the RCMP's national security activities.

To read the submission by CAIR-CAN and CAF, please see:
http://www.caircan.ca/downloads/CCC-SSAC.pdf

Following the presentation, made by CAIR-CAN's Executive Director Riad Saloojee, Commissioner Dennis O'Connor said: "Let me thank you for your presentation today, but also you personally and the organizations that you have spoken for throughout the inquiry, for the contribution you have made.
It has been very valuable. It was a very important part of both aspects of the inquiry to have that type of involvement. I thought that your involvement throughout, your participation was done in a very professional and very helpful way. I am very appreciative."

CAIR-CAN has represented the interests of Canadian Muslims by participating in every aspect of the inquiry. In addition to the submission mentioned above, CAIR-CAN's participation has included the following:

-CAIR-CAN's former Chair, Dr. Sheema Khan, was called to give expert testimony before the Arar inquiry (for more information, please see:
http://www.caircan.ca/itn_more.php?id=A1686_0_2_0_M);

-An opening submission to the Commission's factual inquiry phase examining Maher Arar's case (to read the submission, see:
http://www.caircan.ca/ps_more.php?id=2018_0_6_0_M);

-An interview with the fact-finder appointed to examine the torture of Maher Arar as well as the cases of Ahmad El Maati, Abdullah Almalki and Muayyed Nurredine - Canadian Muslims who were imprisoned and tortured in Syria after first being investigated by CSIS and/or the RCMP;

-The presentation of legal arguments for the inclusion of the documents chronologically detailing the stories of Ahmad El Maati and Abdullah Almalki;

-A closing submission to the factual inquiry (to read the submission, please
see: http://www.caircan.ca/ps_more.php?id=2017_0_6_0_M);

-A reply submission to the closing submissions in the factual inquiry;

-An initial submission on an oversight mechanism for national security agencies (please see: http://www.caircan.ca/ps_more.php?id=2011_0_6_0_M);

-endorsement of all joint submissions by organizations with Intervenor status;

CAIR-CAN has also provided media commentary throughout the inquiry.

"To the best of our knowledge, the Arar inquiry is the only one of its kind in the world that is currently examining the issue of the protection of human rights in an era of heightened national security," stated CAIR-CAN Chair Abdul-Basit Khan.

"We are pleased to represent the interests of Canadian Muslims during this inquiry, and we look forward to seeing recommendations that will ensure that the rule of law and fundamental civil liberties are not sacrificed in the quest to ensure Canada's safety," he added.