TORONTO — Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program, made the following statement:
Ontario’s proposal to eliminate bail in all cases for certain offences is a direct attack on due process and a violation of the Charter.
A charge is not a conviction. This proposal would send innocent people to jail for years for crimes they did not commit.
To be clear: Ontario is proposing that a person with no criminal record facing a weak case should now be sent directly to jail until a trial takes place – a process that could take up to three years.
As the recent acquittal of Umar Zameer on murder charges made clear, even a serious charge can rest on flimsy evidence and result in an acquittal.
It is also deeply concerning that police associations have publicly endorsed the government’s call for the suspension of Charter rights for people in Canada.
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About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
Media Contact:
media@ccla.org
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
For the Media
For further comments, please contact us at media@ccla.org.
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