The countdown to the Montebello summit raises very troubling legal issues by Virginia Simson Page 1 of 2 page(s) | | |    |
It grows curiouser and curiouser. On May 23rd, 2005, President Bush, President Fox and Prime Minister Martin inked the deal for a Security and Prosperity Protocol agreement. This would create literally HUNDREDS, maybe thousands of new trade regulations and common immigration/border requirements and pave the way for new governmental structures and regulatory agencies. And this is only the tip of the resource reallocation iceberg ...
Further, as leaked documents show it is also to lead to a common government for three nations and to distribute natural resources without citizen participation in the decision making process. How can citizens participate when there actually no government in place to appeal to, there is a complete lack of transparency on the part of governments and in the press while details are hidden in secret?
The answer was to organize to get things out in the open, bearing in mind that many approaches must be taken by those who want transparency, hard core FACTS to deal with and the chance to have their input taken seriously. As in any governmental action, there are those who oppose what is happening, obviously. But to date, no real willingness on the part of the US, Mexico and/or Canada has been forthcoming.
Instead, what we are seeing is a further clampdown on citizens' rights right across the board.
Further, all the mass media is demonizing all those taking part in forums, seminars, teachins, or any other type of activity that tries to make this a public issue.
Things are at a flashpoint in Ottawa and in Quebec at this time. This week two persons were arrested after being provoked by Ottawa policemen. They were held and detained for four hours. Then they were given bail conditions that make clear that there was a political motive behind the arrests! The two young men are told that their right to free association and freedom of assembly can be taken away BEFORE a trial .. (Elsewhere in Canada, Shawn Brant is being denied bail in a seperate case and told he cannot speak with anyone surrounding his 'mysterious' arrest as well and when he protests he is referred to a mischeif making in the press. This is NO reason to deny bail.)
The security perimeter around Montebello's five-star hotel where the summit is taking place has now been photographed and circulated for many to see. t is being constructed at taxpayer expense for the protection of government(s) and Big Business. Large contingents of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Surete de Quebec are being assembled to ban vocal protest from coming near the summit site. It is assumed that there may be thousands of arrests to "tie up" people in the courts and make sure their assets can not be used to further opposition.
Below is the current legal position on the situation as it exists as of today.
Intimidation and harassment can be expected at all border crossings and at all transportation hubs, as well, for people coming from Mexico and the US during the week. Leave your placards and teeshirts with logos at HOME if you plan to come up. Remember: the SPP is NAFTA plus Homeland Security.
News Release
August 15, 2007
Montebello SummitFreedom of expression and the right to demonstrate must be respected
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association and the Ligue des droits et libertés are calling on authorities to ensure that demonstrators’ rights will be protected at the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) Summit, where heads of state and business leaders will be meeting on August 20-21, 2007 in Montebello, Quebec.
Grace Pastine, Litigation Director of the BC Civil Liberties Association: “Not only must protesters be able to draw public attention to their demands, they must be able to make their protests heard by the leaders they are addressing. They must be allowed to protest in Montebello.”
Police tactics used during previous demonstrations raised the concern of U.N. authorities. In 2005, both the U.N. Human Rights Committee and the U.N. Committee Against Torture expressed concern about repeated allegations of inappropriate methods used by federal and provincial police forces during demonstrations. Both international bodies recommended that authorities investigate their policies concerning crowd control measures to ensure that the right to peacefully participate in social protests is respected.
Specifically, the Committee Against Torture noted that it continues to receive allegations that law enforcement authorities inappropriately use chemical, irritant, incapacitating and mechanical weapons. The Human Rights Committee declared that Canada must make certain that it respects the freedoms guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by ensuring that only protesters committing criminal offences during demonstrations are arrested.
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association and the Ligue des droits et libertés say that policing measures that arbitrarily prohibit or limit demonstrations, for example by establishing “no-go” protest zones, are an impermissible interference with citizens’ rights.
Representatives of the RCMP and the Sureté du Quebec have not publicly stated whether “no-go” protest zones will be established during the SPP, and there are conflicting reports on the precise security measures that will be in place. The Sureté du Quebec announced that there will be a security perimeter of 2.1 km. Authorities also declared that all roads to Montebello will be closed to visitors who are considered "undesirable." The Sureté du Quebec and the RCMP did not exclude the possibility of establishing a larger security perimeter.
Grace Pastine: “Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The world is watching to see if Canada will respect the rights of its citizens.”
Contacts:
La Ligue des droits et libertes:
Gaetan Blais, media relations officer
514-715-7727 (cell phone)
B.C. Civil Liberties Association
Grace Pastine, Litigation Director
604-630-9751
Take action -- click here to contact your local newspaper or congress people:
Please ensure that freedom of assembly and free speech is protected in all N. American democratic countries
www.ladybroadoak.blogspot.com
Virginia Simson is a spiritual journalista/activist who runs a visionary planetary tutorial blogspot.
She invites you to join Earthlings_Anonymous@yahoogroups.com with submission of your ISP email address and a statement explaining how it feels to to you to be an EARTHLING right NOW and what your personal and planetary goals are. We would like to know what our members can do to assist you.
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