Investigate Alleged Prisoner Abuse at Maplehurst: Human Rights Groups

Steven Chand of 'Toronto 11' thrown into the 'hole'


- For Immediate Release -


(Toronto, Canada - May 8, 2008) - Human rights groups in Toronto are calling on the Ontario government to investigate allegations of prisoner abuse at the Maplehurst Correctional Facility in Milton, Ontario.

The Canadian Council on American Islamic-Relations (CAIR-CAN) and the Presumption of Innocence Project (PIP), supported by 10 national and regional organizations, are concerned about recent allegations that Steven Chand, an inmate at the Maplehurst Complex, has been unjustly transferred to what is known as "the hole" - a form of solitary confinement - because of his attempts at religious accommodation during prayer.

Mr. Chand was allegedly dragged from his cell by four guards after covering the toilet in his cell with a bed sheet in an effort to pray in a clean environment, as required by the Islamic faith. Mr. Chand has been held in solitary confinement since May 5 but may be held there for a total of 10 days.

"Prisoners of all religious backgrounds are guaranteed the right to continue practicing their faith while incarcerated," says Sameer Zuberi, a spokesperson for CAIR-CAN. "We are alarmed to hear allegations that Mr. Chand has been punished so severely, simply for attempting to pray according to his religion."

In response to past claims of abuse, Michael Moon, defence counsel for Mr. Chand, has asked the Ontario government to release footage of the prison's video surveillance to prove his client's allegations. "These videos capture everything that goes on on the range," says Mr. Moon. He added, "If he [Chand] did anything wrong, it will be shown on the video. If what he says is accurate, that will be shown."

Mr. Chand, 27, is one of 11 Muslim men and boys who still face charges in the case of the so-called "Toronto 18". Civil liberties advocates insist that, despite the nature of the charges, all the accused men remain innocent until proven guilty and must be guaranteed conditions of incarceration that meet the minimum requirements afforded to all prisoners.

The following organizations support the call for an investigation into Mr. Chand's allegations of abuse: Canadian Arab Federation (CAF), Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties Association (CMCLA), Canadian Muslim Forum (CMF), DawahNet Canada, Federation of Muslim Women (FMW), Islamic Circle of North America Canada (ICNA Canada), Islamic Society of North America Canada (ISNA Canada), Muslim Association of Canada (MAC), Presumption of Innocence Project (PIP), Salaheddin Islamic Centre and Young Muslims Canada.

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For more information, please contact:
Sameer Zuberi, CAIR-CAN Communications Coordinator: 613-795-2012 or 613-254-9704; or,
James Clark, Presumption of Innocence Project spokesperson: 416-795-5863.