:: Sample letter to Minister of Justice
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The Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
House of Commons
284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H8
Dear Minister:
I am writing to you today because I am gravely concerned about the injustice Gary Freeman (also known as Joseph Pannell) may suffer if extradited to the United States.
His case and situation has reached the point where you and you alone can determine his fate. As Justice Minister, you could refuse a surrender order under the Extradition Act. I am asking you to consider this option because I do not believe Mr. Freeman can receive a fair trial in the United States.
Advocates for human rights and against racism would be well aware of the racial tensions surrounding Chicago in 1969 and the volatile nature of a 21-year-old white police officer aggressively questioning a 19-year-old black man without justifiable cause. The many well-established incidents of police misconduct in the African-American community of Chicago at that time and since, including harassment, intimidation, physical abuse, arbitrary arrests and unjustified shootings, must be considered.
As well, there are serious questions being raised about the fundamental justice of the new Extradition Act (1999) in relation to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and international human rights.
After over thirty years in Canada, raising a family of four with his Canadian wife, Gary Freeman would be uprooted from a life as a dedicated father and highly valued member of the community to be put on trial on a questionable basis. After more than 35 years, the quality of the evidence and recollection of witnesses in this case may have deteriorated to such an extent as to make a reasonable and fair assessment impossible.
I urge you to take a closer look at the case of Gary Freeman (Joseph Pannell) and ask that you refuse to make a surrender order, as is within your powers as Minister of Justice. Mr. Freeman is a good Canadian and we owe it to him and all Canadians to ensure his rights and freedoms are protected according to our laws, not the laws of another nation.
Sincerely,
[signature]
[Name]
[Address]