Matthew Behrens

Matthew Behrens is a freelance writer and social justice advocate who coordinates the Homes not Bombs non-violent direct action network. His column "Taking Liberties" examines connections between national security and civil liberties. Behrens has worked closely with the targets of Canadian and U.S. "national security" profiling for many years.

Columnists

Apr 6, 2015

Another reason to resist C-51: Canada's invasive financial war on terror

Matthew Behrens

FINTRAC is a financial intelligence unit whose mandate and practice quietly touch just about every resident of the country -- raising major privacy concerns in the process.

Book Review

Apr 2, 2015

How Canada lets people get tortured

Matthew Behrens

The remarkable story of Mohamedou Ouid Slahi is one of wisdom, humour and despair. In this memoir, Slahi relays a tale of human resilience under the most appalling conditions at Guantanamo Bay.

Columnists

Mar 24, 2015

Lost in the '50s with Harper's anti-terror pablum

Matthew Behrens

When it comes to "anti-terrorism," government and state security agency behaviour is dominated by throwbacks to the Cold War, with Harper serving as Canada's self-appointed avenging angel.

Columnists

Feb 23, 2015

A Canadian in Paris: Hassan Diab's indefinite jail journey

Matthew Behrens

The long-running extradition saga of Dr. Hassan Diab -- sought by French authorities for a 1980 crime he did not commit -- took a dramatic turn when the Supreme Court refused to hear his final appeal.

Columnists

Feb 18, 2015

Was Ottawa 'terror' arrest timed to support repressive new legislation?

Matthew Behrens

When the RCMP announced an Ottawa anti-terrorism arrest this month, the timing could not have been better for a federal government that appears to thrive on national security hysteria.

Columnists

Feb 16, 2015

Troubled times ahead with new anti-terror legislation

Matthew Behrens

Bill C-51 grants new powers to already hyperactive state security agencies, and baits as "soft on terror" anyone who questions the bill's necessity. Here is a primer on key provisions in the bill.

Columnists

Jan 19, 2015

No Chelsea morning for hypocritical world leaders in Paris

Matthew Behrens

In the wake of the Paris shootings, as voicing uncomfortable truths becomes increasingly risky, governments get set to introduce more repressive measures that mock freedom of expression.

Columnists

Dec 22, 2014

No room at Canada's inn

Matthew Behrens

For refugees worldwide, the same demeaning sign is hung at the entrance of far too many countries, including Canada: you are not wanted, you are not admissible, you are undesirable, you are dangerous.

Columnists

Nov 26, 2014

Militarism degrades, disrupts and destroys democracy

Matthew Behrens

As the Canadian government plays at fighting wars in Iraq/Syria and in eastern Europe, we see daily examples of how militarism ultimately degrades, disrupts and destroys democracy.

Columnists

Oct 23, 2014

Reflections on a violent day in Ottawa

Matthew Behrens

The tragic events in Ottawa give us an opportunity to examine our addiction to violence as the solution to conflict. Will we use the chance to disengage from our increasingly militarized culture?

Matthew Behrens

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