2. - A glimpse into medieval prison conditions in Canada
below, unworthy of a so-called "democratic" country:
Canadian Association for
Free Expression
Box 332, Rexdale, Ontario,
M9W 5L3
Ph: 905-897-7221;
FAX: 905-277-3914
April 8, 2003
Hon. Bob Runciman, MPP Ministry of Public Safety and
Security 18th Floor, 25 Grosvenor Street Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1Y6 BY FAX:
: (416) 325-6067
Dear Mr. Runciman:
I'm the legal representative for publisher Ernst Zundel,
who is currently being held under Section 58.1.c. of the Immigration and
Refugee Protection Act in the Niagara Detention Centre.
I have serious concerns about the way Mr. Zundel is being
treated. He's a 64-year old pacifist. He's on medication. He has been
incarcerated briefly during several previous encounters with the
Canadian,. U.S. and German legal systems. He has never been a flight risk.
The authorities at the Niagara Detention Centre are
keeping him in segregation -- solitary lock-up. Because of his
controversial views and age, this may well be for his own good.
However, my concerns focus on his being denied newspapers
or other reading material. Many prisons have libraries. Mr. Zundel is not
being incarcerated for any crime he's committed. He hasn't been convicted
of anything in Canada. Furthermore, he isn't even here by choice: he was
deported from the U.S.
Basic decency and human dignity would seem to dictate
giving him access to reading material. He's trying to prepare for a series
of complicated legal hearings in Canada and the U.S. Yet, he's denied the
use of a pen. He must scribble with pencil stubs. This is disgraceful.
I've tried to learn whether your department issues a
statement of prisoners' rights.Repeated calls today failed to satisfy my
equest for such a document or statement.
Seeking your help in this matter, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Paul Fromm
