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June 06, 2010

Questions for Canada's Prime Minister, Solicitor General and various chiefs of police

First some observations. Then the questions.

Observation number one: Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act.

Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act enables the government to create a list of "entities" under the Criminal Code. This is a very public way to identify a group or individual as being associated with terrorism.

For reference: Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act.

Observation number two: Listed entities under Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act. Emphasis added.

The listing of an entity is a very public means of identifying a group or individual as being associated with terrorism. The definition of an entity includes a person, group, trust, partnership or fund, or an unincorporated association or organization. The Anti-Terrorism Act provides measures for the Government of Canada to create a list of entities.

It is not a crime to be listed. However, one of the consequences of being listed is that the entity's property can be the subject of seizure/restraint and/or forfeiture. In addition, institutions such as banks, brokerages, etc are subject to reporting requirements with respect to an entity's property and must not allow those entities to access the property nor may these institutions deal or otherwise dispose of the property. It is an offence to knowingly participate in or contribute to, directly or indirectly, any activity of a terrorist group. This participation is only an offence if its purpose is to enhance the ability of any terrorist group to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity.

Observation number three: Despite a variety of objections from Hizballah apologists, sympathizers and supporters, Hizballah is a listed entity. Emphasis added.

Hizballah

Also known as
Hizbullah, Hizbollah, Hezbollah, Hezballah, Hizbu'llah, The Party of God, Islamic Jihad (Islamic Holy War), Islamic Jihad Organization, Islamic Resistance, Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine, Ansar al-Allah (Followers of God/Partisans of God/God's Helpers), Ansarollah (Followers of God/Partisans of God/God's Helpers), Ansar Allah (Followers of God/Partisans of God/God's Helpers), Al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah (Islamic Resistance), Organization of the Oppressed, Organization of the Oppressed on Earth, Revolutionary Justice Organization, Organization of Right Against Wrong and Followers of the Prophet Muhammed

Description
Hizballah, meaning "Party of God", is a radical Islamic terrorist organization based in Lebanon. The objectives of Hizballah, as derived from its February 16, 1985 political manifesto, include removing all Western influences from Lebanon and from the Middle East, as well as destroying the state of Israel and liberating all Palestinian territories and Jerusalem from what it sees as Israeli occupation. It rejects the possibility of a negotiated peace. Hizballah operates principally in Lebanon, but has also been active in Europe, North and South America, and Africa. Hizballah has been responsible for car bombings, hijackings, and kidnappings of Western and Israeli/Jewish targets in Israel, Western Europe and South America.

Date listed
10 December, 2002

Date reviewed
20 November, 2008

Please note: In 2006, Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day expanded the federal ban of Hizballah from the purely militant wing to all 16 sub-organizations.

Observation number four: Protestors have publicly displayed the Hizballah flag on many occasions since the organization was listed under Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act. References are too numerous to cite; I offer the most recent instance by way of example. Many more examples can be provided upon request.

An aside: I challenge anyone to find such an occasion when this activity was not observed by at least one of a variety of police forces, including Canada's national police force and, one presumes, Canada's national security services.

A point of interest: Protestors who have proudly marched under the flag of Hizballah, a banned terrorist organization, include sitting Members of Parliament from Canada's Liberal and Bloc Quebecois parties. You could knock me over with a feather if the NDP has not also represented its support in this way.


The questions: At what point does flying a terrorist flag indicate support for terrorism? At what point does flying such a flag constitute an act of terror in itself? Finally, at what point exactly do you plan to pull your thumbs out of your asses and do your duty?

Finally, for Flea readers: If members of the public feel terrorized by chanting thousands waving terrorist flags, should they report the matter to the police? To a human rights commission? To the Solicitor General? To their MP? Or to JTF-2?

Posted by Ghost of a flea at June 6, 2010 02:08 PM

Comments

Thanks for the link, Flea.

More than one person complained to the police on Saturday about the Hezbollah flags. To my knowledge, nothing was done.

Posted by: Josephine [TypeKey Profile Page] at June 7, 2010 12:09 AM

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