By Chris Shannon

Oct 19, 2008 marks the 7th anniversary of the detention of Hassan Almrei. Almrei has been locked up under Canada’s infamous Security Certificate legislation, which allows refugees and landed immigrants to be deported to their home countries or be held indefinitely.

Almrei is currently being held at the Kingston Immigration Holding Centre, or “Gantanamo North” as dubbed by critics. The facility cost $3.2 million to build and is staffed by 23 guards and administrators. Almrei is the centre’s only prisoner.

The federal court is currently in the process of hearing Almrei’s bail application. His attempts at gaining freedom have been unsuccessful three times so far making him cautious in his outlook.

“ I’m optimistic but realistic at the same time” he says. “At first I didn’t want to go through another bail hearing but the Judge told me if I didn’t I wouldn’t be allowed to have another one”

Almrei was picked up in October of 2001. Considered a security threat by CSIS and the Canadian government he was locked up without charge to await deportation to Syria. Human Rights activists and lawyers put the brakes on the process of deportation arguing that Almrei would surly be tortured once returned.

A movement built around Almrei and several co-accused. They were nicknamed “The Secret Trail 5”. All of them faced deportation to torture and a judicial regime where neither they nor their lawyers where allowed to see the evidence against them.

During his incarceration Almrei went on multiple hunger strikes sometimes for such simple rights as heat in his cell, and shoes to wear.

In February of 2007 the Supreme Court of Canada in a unanimous decision recognized that Security Certificates go against the “fundamental principals of justice” and gave parliament a year to redraft the legislation or have it struck down.

The government, instead of abolishing Security Certificates, added the provision of a Special Advocate. The Special Advocate has the power to see secret evidence and advocate for their client in hearings, but cannot consult with their client about that evidence.

“After all this treatment and abuse Hassan still has faith in the system and the Canadian Courts.”, says Matthew Behrens, organizer of The Campaign to Stop Secret Trials and The Caravan to End Torture. “Hassan has always wanted a fair and open process. If they believe he has done something wrong he has always said ‘Charge me.’”

Although Almrei has always had the best legal help available, Behrens believes it is strong grassroots advocacy that has helped ‘The Secret Trial Five’. “In 2000 the Security Certificate process was challenged at the Supreme Court and was upheld. In 2007 it was challenged again and it failed. The major difference was the public campaigns. These men were not just crazy passport photos anymore”

Behrens talks about how going on Ontario wide caravans has broadened the scope of the movement, and brought the issue into small communities. “The response has been overwhelming. The conservative heartland is not conservative at all. The caravans have had a catalyzing effect.”