World

Diab victim of anti-Arab attitudes: Witness

by Barry Artiste | March 21, 2009 at 05:49 am

404 views | 10 Recommendations | 8 comments

Barry Artiste Op/Ed

I think if Europe has a case against this Professor, overwhelming evidence should be presented in a Canadian Court of Law and no extradition to Europe. If in Canada, he is found guilty, then he should be extradited. But until that time comes, Innocent until proven guilty should prevail and the man should be allowed all the rights Canadians enjoy, including staying in Canada until proven otherwise. Many in the middle east share the same name, more common than we think, to convict on a name is not a good case, especially after almost 30 years. One would hope anti Arab sentiment does not play a role in these terrorist times. Innocent until proven guilty!

OTTAWA — Ottawa's Arab community believes a local academic accused of terrorism is the victim of anti-Arab attitudes in Canada, court heard Friday.

"We feel we are being targeted, and this is just one case of it," said Nour El-Kadri, a member of the Ottawa-based Canadian Coalition of Arab Professionals and Community Associations (CAPCA).

El-Kadri was one of several people who testified on behalf of Hassan Diab, a one-time lecturer in sociology at the University of Ottawa and, more recently, Carleton University. The French government has accused Diab of being a terrorist and wants him extradited so he can be tried in a 1980 bombing in Paris that killed four people and injured dozens. Acting on a French request, the RCMP arrested the 55-year-old in November, and he has been held in the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Detention Centre since then.

Diab was in court this week, seeking to be released on bail while he awaits an extradition hearing.

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Paschen

at 05:52 on March 21st, 2009

Thank you for the post here Barry.

Barry Artiste

at 05:52 on March 21st, 2009

Hey thanks Buddy

Andrew Stodd (not verified)

at 13:26 on March 21st, 2009

Unfortunately, our government has a past of extraditing Canadians (see: Marc Emery) who have done nothing illegal in Canada to other countries (mostly the US), because of foreign interests. Canada has completely lost any independence it might have had, and now Canadian sovereignty is a joke.

eastvanray

at 15:25 on March 21st, 2009

If he is a Canadian citizen he should be tried here. If not, ship him out. I don't care what ethnic group he belongs to.

Louis charles (not verified)

at 01:50 on March 24th, 2009

Why Nicolas Sarkosy a devoted and anti Arab French President dont go after the Fascists of the Nationalist Front for European Action (FANE) who already claimed entire responsibility for the Bombing of october 4,1980 Rue Copernic in the media (Agence France Press) via a telephone call? The French Police recorded five Jewish institutions in Paris were sprayed with machine-gun by the neo-fascists well know for their violent anti-semitic activities. The Palestinian Liberation Palestine (PLO) always claimed their attacks. except this one of the Synigogue. And the French Police never arrest noboby of the neo-fascists suspect by showing a single evidence that wasn't them after these terrorists confirmed that they did the bombing No matter what happen these mysterious investigators prefere the palestinian target.. France with the Support of Canada is acharned to hang any Arab, any innocent Palestinian such as Dr Hassan Diab just because the Racism of Mister the French President. Where is the word of Justice? Dr Hassan Diab must be free.

eastvanray

at 10:59 on March 24th, 2009

You obviously know absolutely nothing about Canada.

alicia kelly. (not verified)

at 12:08 on March 24th, 2009

Louis Charles is right. the KKK of France regrouped in the Nationalist Front European Action (FANE) claimed the Bombing immediately after in the media Agence France Press. It's true. The Police never prosecuted them. France closed her eyes on that important evidence. there is no evidence to establish the correctly the identity of the suspect. No DNA, no fingerprint, handwriting is a mess, suspect dont speak french contrarily to witness discribing him stoled a tool and very well articulated in french language to steal. the sketch is horrible to be a prove that can be admitted by any court system. Professor Hassan is a victim of anti-arab manipulation. the Court of Canada cannot sacrify an innocent victim like that. Having many women according the cultural beliefs of the Arabs cannot be a prove of terrorism action. It's unacceptable.