The Secret Trial 5 is a crowdfunded documentary in-progress that examines the human impact of Canada’s “war on terror”; specifically the use of security certificates, a tool that allows for indefinite detention, with no charges, and secret evidence. Over the last decade, 5 men have been held under security certificates in Canada. They spent between 2 and 7 years in prison each. None of them have been charged with a crime.
These men are The Secret Trial 5, and YOU can help us tell their story.
Recent blog posts:
Catherine Lathwell
Mr. Mohammad Mahjoub & His Side of the Story
Mr. Mahjoub is going on a speaking tour to share his story!
The uncomfortable truth is that because I attended court proceeding in December of 2011, I know more about this man than I do about many of my acquaintances. Sadly, the personal details of his life and health are a matter of public record. Can you imagine? Now he's choosing to tell his side of the story. A remarkable leap of faith and trust in the Canadian people.
It is a hopeful period in the dark 12 year history Mr. Mahjoub's incarceration. In February 2012, the conditions of Mr. Mahjoub's house arrest were loosened enough that he is allowed to leave Toronto, which is why he can take his story on the road.
And most hopeful of all, next week from Monday April 23 to Wednesday April 25, (180 Queen Street, West, 6th floor, Toronto) from 9:30 am to 5:30pm, Mr. Mohammad Mahjoub will be in court in Toronto to seek to have proceedings against him finally thrown out and you're invited. (That's court talk for: “After 12 year of incarceration with no charges, please set me free.”)
Catherine Lathwell
Cinema Politica launches screening night at the Bloor/Hot Docs Cinema Tue, April 3rd
Cinema Politica (we are in their adopt-a-doc program) is launching a screening night at the Bloor/Hot Docs Cinema Tuesday, April 3rd, with a special screening of CULTURES OF RESISTANCE, featuring guest speakers S.K. Hussan, Ilian Burbano, Sakura Saunders and Pedro Cabeza.
Come out and support this great initiative tomorrow night!
Amar Wala
Toronto Arts Council comes through!
We just got some great news in the mail! ST5 has been awarded a Toronto Arts Council Grant for $4k. Our sincere thanks to the TAC for their support and recognition of our project. So what does this mean for ST5? Here's a quick progress report...
Noah Bingham
Eco-Terroism, Environmental Activism, Human Lives - IF A TREE FALLS - Oscar Nominee
Documentary feature nominee in this year's Oscars, IF A TREE FALLS directed by Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman, is an powerful look at the lines between domestic terrorism and environmental activism, and a human portrait of an individual caught between these ideas.
More from the filmmakers....
Amar Wala
A year in, my feelings as director...
Well, it's been over a year since our launch event last December. It may sound cliched but the time really has flown by. When I look back at the last year I see that we've accomplished quite a bit. We've raised over $25,000 to help make the film, we've spread awareness about this and other important issues, and garnered respect and credibility from within the film community itself. So do I consider Secret Trial 5 to be a success so far? Honestly, no...(but keep reading)
Catherine Lathwell
Among Equals - Inter Pares, Money and the Movement
We are ecstatic, honoured and humbled to announce a very generous contribution from the Canadian organization Inter Pares.
Inter Pares takes its name from a Latin phrase which, translated to English, means "among equals". And working among equals is the guiding principle behind the activity of this amazing organization.
"Inter Pares is building a movement of people who care about social justice - of people who know that issues faced by communities abroad are linked to the ones we face here in Canada."
What goes around, comes around, Inter Pares understands that:
" ... our role as Canadians in sustaining injustice abroad – through the foreign policies of our government, the behaviour of our companies overseas, the roles we play as individuals and civil society in a globalized world – and believe it is our responsibility to address these issues, while also confronting inequality and injustice here at home."
We, The Secret Trial 5 documentary team, are dismayed that actual people right here in Canada are detained for years with no trial, based on secret evidence, and locked up indefinitely. That's why we're making a film about them and their families.
It's real and it's here. That's why we've joined Inter Pares and their movement. You can too. Here's how to contribute to the Secret Trial 5 documentary.
