Listen

Gitmo words and music by Yavar Hameed I get the message that you're sending  Your smile like daggers in my heart    You say that killing is defending          You turn this murder into art               Friendly fire on my brothers       Friendly terror on my kin                    We call it war when it's to others        We call it safety for within                 But I'm the one who loves you           I'm the one who cares                        I'll be there to protect you              When no one else is there               These prison walls will defend you from serpents in our midst               Forget about their anguish                And you won't make the list at all (refrain) Seeking refuge from your violence  Change the colour of my skin          Start to question me in silence       Right to counsel is chagrined      Protect my freedom with your cages    Placing shackles of my mind        Eroding dignity in stages                 Your protection is unkind But I'm the one who loves you           I'm the one who cares about you you  I'll be there to protect you when no one else is around                              These prison walls will defend you from serpents in our midst           Forget about their anguish               Forget about them Where were you when the world got violent - where were you I want to know?   I was drowned in a sea of silence - I looked for you, but you did not show at all Where were you when the world got silent - where were you I want to know? I was drowned in a sea of violence - I looked for you, but you did not show at all

Dream *** - words and music by Yavar Hameed Looking outside    I see music in my mind Where the world of conscience ends There's no freedom I can find Refrain So I dream, dream, dream I dream about a better day Please, please tell me what I've done My life is shattered now But I'm not the one you want Still I dream - I dream about a better day I used to think that justice here was blind Your constitution's words creates illusions in my mind You call me guilty now - and invent the truth to hide behind But still I dream (refrain) Do you know what you've become? You talk about the rule of law But you break those - rules for some  And I dream - still I dream....

*** This song is dedicated to the struggle of Mohamed Harkat. In December 2002, Mohamed was detained pursuant to section 77 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) of Canada  under what is referred to as a "security certificate".  The security certificate allows for the detention of a refugee or alien who is deemed to be a potential threat to the security of Canada until a hearing is held to decide on the person's removal from Canada.  However, the determination of threat or risk under the security certificate is done by way of an ex parte motion - i.e. a request before a judge of the Federal Court of Canada  in the absence of the person alleged to be a security risk and/or her/his lawyer.  

Although the security certificate is not a new legal provision under the IRPA, its use since September 11, 2001 may have been prompted by political pressure rather than appropriate evidence.   That is to say, in the last two and a half years, the policy pendulum has swung away from the protection of civil liberties towards an encroachment upon civil liberties under the rubric of invigorating Canada's commitment to security and the War on Terror.  Unfortunately, this shift has had a disproportionately negative impact upon Arab and Muslim communities in Canada.  

To date, neither Mohamed Harkat nor his lawyers have been advised of the specific allegations against him.   If the government can substantiate its case, Mohamed may be deported to Algeria where he risks persecution by the government.  Mohamed currently awaits a hearing date at the Innis Prison in Ottawa, while his wife, Sophie, works tirelessly for his release, so that she and her family can be reunited with him.  Click here for more information on Mohamed's fight against his detention under the security certificate.

For further information on the security certificate please see the explanation of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and for a critical appraisal of the security certificate and an account of the five men currently under detention in Canada check out the analysis by HOMES NOT BOMBS.