Notice Board

Imagine spending years in prison without being charged with a crime or knowing exactly what you're accused of. This presentation is a sobering examination of the Canadian government’s use of security certificates, a Kafkaesque tool that allows for indefinite detention without charges, based on evidence not revealed to the accused or their lawyers. Since 1999, this rare and highly controversial device has been used to detain at least five men for nearly 30 years combined. To date, none has been charged with a crime or seen the evidence against them. 

Mohamed Harkat was arrested under a security certificate in 2002. He spent 43 months in jail (one year in solitary confinement) before being released under strict house arrest conditions in 2006. Mr. Harkat was the center of the second Supreme Court challenge against security certificates, a challenge that was lost late last year.He presently lives under restrictions in Ottawa with his wife Sophie Harkat. For more information see his website http://www.justiceforharkat.com/

Speaker: Sophie Harkat

Sophie Harkat is a graduate student in Public & Media. She has traveled extensively across the county and to the UK to talk about Security Certificates and granted hundreds of interviews with reporters from around the world about her husband's case. She has been a guest speaker at universities & conferences. One of her most memorable events was when she spoke with Jack Layton at a large rally in front of 20,000 people in 2004. She was given a human rights award by CAIR-CAN in 2004.

Presented by LPIRG in partnership with SACPA and LIFF

Sophie will also be speaking at SACPA's Thursday lunch session and as part of panel after the screening of "Secret Trial 5" Thursday evening as part of the Lethbridge International Film Festival.

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2015 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm 
Location: Room PE264 in the 1st Choice Savings Centre, University of Lethbridge 
Cost: Free event, free parking, everyone welcome
Refreshments will be provided.

Accessibility Info:

* The entrance to the 1st Choice Savings Centre has automatic open buttons, though the classroom itself does not. PE264 is on the ground level and has desks at the front with room for wheelchairs, scooters, and others in need of the space. Wheelchair accessible washrooms are available on the same level.
* Gender neutral, wheelchair accessible washrooms are available one floor down, accessible by nearby elevator.
*This presentation will take place in English.
*The lighting in the 1st choice Savings Centre is fluorescent
* Childcare can be made available with 24 hours notice; please call 403-332-5243 or email pirg at uleth dot ca.
* We are working to implement a Scent- Free Policy, making all of our events scent free. This means that all attendees should refrain from using any scented products prior to the event or bringing them to the event, including (but not limited to) perfume, cologne, shampoo, conditioner, soap, hairspray or gel, makeup, laundry detergent, fabric softener or lotion. Attendees should also be aware of any other scents they carry on them into the event, including the smell of smoke on clothes. This scent-free policy is put in place to minimize risk for people with environmental sensitivities. Scented products can be a cause of health issues, particularly for people with allergies and asthma. People with scent sensitivities should note that the buildings we are renting in do not have scent-free policies.

Attend the event on Facebook