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

Mar 21, 2014

Does Ottawa believe the Salvadoran government is terrorist?

Matthew Behrens

The cases of Oscar Vigil and Jose Figueroa reveal the ideological abuse of Canada's immigration system, where many who resisted tyranny in their homelands face "security inadmissibility" in Canada.

Columnists

Feb 21, 2014

CSIS still the cat in the birdcage

Matthew Behrens

When it comes to Canada's security agencies, it is clear who threatens national security in the same way it is clear who threatens the birds when cats are placed in their cages.

Columnists

Jan 20, 2014

Canada's government-sponsored law-breakers 'push the border out'

Matthew Behrens

The CBSA has long been engaged in beefing up a strategy to prevent asylum seekers from getting to Canada, a clear violation of international and domestic law.

Columnists

Dec 20, 2013

Taking liberties: Santa Claus rejects NORAD escort, may be placed on no-fly list

Matthew Behrens

In a little-noticed news release from the North Pole, a jolly senior citizen has asked that his image not be co-opted this holiday season by the Canadian War Department and NORAD.

Columnists

Nov 25, 2013

Taking liberties: Why do we jail women who choose to live?

Matthew Behrens

As Canada marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, there are countless reminders of how much work remains to be done, as the war against women grinds mercilessly on.

News

Nov 5, 2013

The Extradition Case of Dr. Hassan Diab

Matthew Behrens

Hassan Diab continues to remain hopeful that the Canadian legal system will prevail and he will not be extradited to France for questioning about his alleged role in a 1980 Paris bombing.

Columnists

Oct 22, 2013

Supreme Court's secret hearing and Judge Nadon's Charter dismissal

Matthew Behrens

Just before Thanksgiving, the Supreme Court of Canada held two days of hearings regarding the fate of Mohamed Harkat, detained for over a decade by a secret trial security certificate.

Columnists

Sep 24, 2013

Secret case keeps Freeman from coming home

Matthew Behrens

Anytime a government wants to hide its errors and illegality, it pulls down the shades of national security confidentiality and refuses to disclose any information.

Columnists

Aug 21, 2013

Canada's burning chambers: A secret Supreme Court hearing in October

Matthew Behrens

On October 11, the Supreme Court of Canada will be in session, but anyone wishing to attend that day's hearing will find the Court building empty, and the nine judges missing.

Columnists

Jul 22, 2013

Canada aids and abets the spectre of nuclear terrorism

Matthew Behrens

Militarism creates its own state of permanent exception: anything done in the name of "national defence" is above the law, and any calls for accountability are laughed off as unpatriotic.

Matthew Behrens

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