Citizenship and Immigration Canada Must Clear Allegations Against "Project Thread" Victims
- Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations, November 11, 2003 -
The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) today called on the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Denis Coderre to immediately offer a public apology to the individuals arrested under "Project Thread" and to issue a public declaration that there is no evidence to connect the men to terrorism.

"Project Thread" refers to the RCMP investigation that culminated in the arrest and detention of 20 Pakistani men and one south Indian man in August 2003. Of the 21 arrested, nine have been deported, one remains in jail while the rest are out on bail, facing deportation.

In his call to the Minister, CAIR-CAN Executive Director Riad Saloojee stated:

"Three months after the men were arrested under 'Project Thread,' there continues to be no clear evidence tying the men to terrorism. On the contrary, it is clear that the public allegation issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) tying the men to terrorism were baseless.

"The initial allegations were gravely irresponsible and have subjected many of the men to unwarranted scrutiny and harassment. The last wave of deportations to Pakistan, for example, saw the men detained by federal officials and interrogated for 16 hours. Authorities in Pakistan have commenced further investigations into the lives of the men and their families.

"We call on the Minister to offer an immediately public apology to the men who were arrested and smeared under 'Project Thread' and to state unequivocally that Citizenship and Immigration Canada withdraws any suggestion that they are linked to terrorism."