CAIR-CAN Welcomes Decision to Delist Abousfian Abdelrazik

-For immediate release-

(Ottawa, Canada - 01/12/11) The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) today welcomed the recent decision by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to remove Canadian Abousfian Abdelrazik from its terrorist blacklist and hopes that this will allow him and his family to begin the long process of rebuilding his life after his nearly decade-long ordeal.

Abdelrazik, who was detained in Sudan at what appears to be the request of the Canadian government on at least one occasion, was kept in forced exile for years by successive Liberal and Conservative administrations and was labeled a national-security risk by the Harper government.

“We welcome the news of the delisting of Mr. Abdelrazik, however much remains to be done. There are still many unanswered questions around the possible involvement of our government and security agencies in the events surrounding Mr. Abdelrazik's terrible treatment,” said CAIR-CAN Acting Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee.

“While Mr. Abdelrazik's nightmare appears to be coming to an end it reinforces, yet again, the need for the creation of a comprehensive, overarching oversight body for all Canadian security agencies as part of 23 recommendations contained in the report by Justice Dennis O'Connor into the Maher Arar case. Furthermore, it points to the need for the international community to give serious reconsideration towards either ending or, at the very least, ensuring greater transparency, due process and accountability within the current UN blacklisting regime."

CAIR-CAN is a national, non-profit, grassroots organization striving to be a leading voice that enriches Canadian society through Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

CONTACT:
Ihsaan Gardee, CAIR-CAN Executive Director, 613.254.9704; 613.853.4111
Maryam Dadabhoy, Community Relations Officer, 416.732.2965

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