8 septembre 2005

Journée internationale contre les tribunaux islamiques au Canada

Manifestation à Paris :  infos à venir

Manifestation au Canada :

Sept 8th

International demonstration "against Sharia /faith based court in Canada"

SECOND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DEMONSTRATION against SHARIA COURT IN CANADA

for  WOMEN'S RIGHTS, SECULARISM AND HUMAN DIGNITY

> It has been a year since the International Campaign against Sharia Court in
> Canada, called for a day of protest, nationally and internationally, against
> faith based courts in Ontario. The protestors wanted the Ontario to remove
> family law  from the 1991 Arbitration Act.
>
> The Campaign worked hard to inform the general public and the ministries in
> charge about the high risks of permitting Sharia courts in Ontario.
>
> Unfortunately, despite all the warnings, the government of Ontario has not
> taken a clear position to  prevent the interference of religious
> institutions in  the judicial system.
>
> The Second International Demonstration opposing Sharia and all faith based
> courts in Ontario will be held on September 8th, 2005.
>
> We call upon all concerned individuals and progressive organizations to join
> us in opposing the Ontario Arbitration Act 1991 which allows religion to
> interfere in   the Canadian judicial system. This Act allows family law
> disputes to be resolved outside the law courts by arbitrators according to
> their own religious and cultural beliefs. This act allows Islamic groups to
> legalize the suppression of women by implementing the proposed Sharia Court.
>
> Join us!  Together, let us raise our collective voice for progressive
> change!  We can and must make a difference!
>
> When:
>
> Thursday September 8th at 12 noon
>
> Where:
>
> Queen's Park, Ontario Legislature, Toronto
>
>               12.00 noon - 2.00 PM
>
> Homa Arjomand
>
> homawpi@rogers.com
>
> www.nosharia.com
>
> 416-737-9500
>
>

Saturday, May 28th, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Attention: Assignment Editor, City Editor, News Editor, World News Editor. Government/Political Affairs Editor

Quebec’s decision to ban Sharia court is a victory for all defenders of human rights

“We expect that Ontario should do the same”

TORONTO, Canada – “We are very pleased, and to be honest it’s a cause for celebration when we heard that Quebec has upheld human rights for all its citizens… we expect that Ontario should do the same”, said Homa Arjomand, Coordinator of the International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada.

“Quebec has taken a brave, bold and necessary step, a step that assures all Quebecers will now enjoy not only fair and equal treatment under the law, but also the right to be governed by the same laws as other Canadians.” said Ms. Arjomand.

This decision was a positive move towards elimination of interference of religion in the justice system.

We thank all progressive organizations and individuals that supported us and made this victory possible.

“It is still concerning when we hear Premier McGuinty say ‘We will not be unduly influenced by …our provincial counterparts…We'll be making a decision here that's in keeping with the values and aspirations of the people of Ontario.’ Is Premeir McGuinty suggesting that the values and human rights in Quebec are different from the values and human rights in Ontario? If that is truly the case, how is it so different? We believe the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the standard to guide all our decisions on these legal matters.

We also disagree with the findings of the Boyd report and in particular with her recommendation number 2, found on page 133:

“The Arbitration Act should continue to allow disputes to be arbitrated using religious law, if the safeguards currently prescribed and recommended by this Review are observed.”

Allowing religious laws to settle family legal matters, only serves to exclude some people from the privileges and benefits of the Canadian legal system. We believe one law should apply to all.

Once again Ms. Arjomand calls upon the Liberal government to abandon its support of private religious courts/ faith based arbitrations.

Media Contact:

Ms.Homa Arjomand

www.nosharia.com

homawpi@rogers.com

>