CCLA Reacts to G20 Defendant Alex Hundert's Release

January 31, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact:
Penelope Chester
(416) 363-0321 ex. 225

media@ccla.org
www.ccla.org

Toronto (January 31 2011) - After having spent three consecutive months in jail without trial, G20 defendant Alex Hundert was released from the Toronto West Detention Centre on January 24th.

His release came after he signed a plea bargain with the Crown that he was guilty of being in breach of his “no protest condition” for being present during one portion of the panel at Ryerson University. The plea found him not guilty of breach for speaking on a panel at Laurier University, nor did the plea establish that speaking on a panel was equivalent to a public demonstration.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association notes that bail conditions that unduly restrict freedom of speech and freedom of association are unconstitutional.  The fact that in the XXIst century, a Canadian was being charged criminally for responding to an invitation to being a speaker at a University seminar  illustrates the dangers for our democracy of such bail conditions. 

“It seems preposterous to think that public resources, policing and even corrections resources have been spent to prevent someone from attending and speaking at a University seminar.   The process was unfair and the charges were exaggerated: it ought not to have happen,” says Nathalie Des Rosiers, CCLA’s General Counsel. She adds: “It is a positive step that Mr. Hundert has been released and we will continue to work so that there is an end to such vague, unreasonable and unconstitutional bail conditions being imposed in Canada.”

Nathalie Des Rosiers will join Alex Hundert and his lawyer for a press conference at 1pm at Legal Counsel’s Offices 116 Simcoe Street, Suite 100

For more information: G20 Defendant Alex Hundert Released from Prison, Actions of Crown Widely Condemned

CCLA

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is a national organization dedicated to promoting respect for and observance of fundamental human rights and civil liberties. Its work, which includes research, public education and advocacy, aims to defend and ensure the protection and full exercise of those rights and liberties.