Saturday, May 28th, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Attention: Assignment Editor, City Editor, News Editor, World News Editor. Government/Political Affairs Editor

Quebec’s decision to ban Sharia court is a victory for all defenders of human rights

“We expect that Ontario should do the same”

TORONTO, Canada – “We are very pleased, and to be honest it’s a cause for celebration when we heard that Quebec has upheld human rights for all its citizens… we expect that Ontario should do the same”, said Homa Arjomand, Coordinator of the International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada.

“Quebec has taken a brave, bold and necessary step, a step that assures all Quebecers will now enjoy not only fair and equal treatment under the law, but also the right to be governed by the same laws as other Canadians.” said Ms. Arjomand.

This decision was a positive move towards elimination of interference of religion in the justice system.

We thank all progressive organizations and individuals that supported us and made this victory possible.

“It is still concerning when we hear Premier McGuinty say ‘We will not be unduly influenced by …our provincial counterparts…We'll be making a decision here that's in keeping with the values and aspirations of the people of Ontario.’ Is Premeir McGuinty suggesting that the values and human rights in Quebec are different from the values and human rights in Ontario? If that is truly the case, how is it so different? We believe the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the standard to guide all our decisions on these legal matters.

We also disagree with the findings of the Boyd report and in particular with her recommendation number 2, found on page 133:

“The Arbitration Act should continue to allow disputes to be arbitrated using religious law, if the safeguards currently prescribed and recommended by this Review are observed.”

Allowing religious laws to settle family legal matters, only serves to exclude some people from the privileges and benefits of the Canadian legal system. We believe one law should apply to all.

Once again Ms. Arjomand calls upon the Liberal government to abandon its support of private religious courts/ faith based arbitrations.

Media Contact:

Ms.Homa Arjomand

www.nosharia.com

homawpi@rogers.com

416-737-9500