I NEVER THOUGHT …

When I was kidnapped in broad day light from my apartment and kept in a 4’x6’ cell for the next 8 months, I never thought that I would ever see daylight again.

When I was enduring barbaric acts of torture, I never thought that I would get out alive.

When I was subjected to fake executions, I never thought that I would see my wife and kids again.

When I finally bought my freedom with a substantial amount of money, I never thought that I would find a corner on the planet where I could bring the irresponsible Government that subjected me to state sponsored kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment and ransom taking to face the justice.

When I moved to Canada, I believed that I had finally found a judicial system where respect for human rights was paramount over politics. I came to my new home, Canada, to salve and rehabilitate my pain and to restore my dignity.

When I finally did bring an action against the Islamic Republic of Iran for the pain, suffering and the torture that I had endured, I never thought that Canada, my chosen home would intervene in the court against me to defend the torturer...Sadly, however, it happened.

In the name of sovereign state immunity, and to defend the State Immunity Act, Canada has tried to block my claims against Iran, and thereby has defended the kidnapper, the torturer, and the ransom taker.

Each year, the government of Canada invites hundreds of thousands of immigrant professionals to Canada. These people make Canada their home and many of them become citizens. They bring with them knowledge, expertise, culture, dignity, and in some cases, cry for justice. Surely it is wrong for Canada to accept everything that these people have to offer, and yet to refuse to recognize their struggle for restoring their dignity, and their cry for justice.

I am not the only Canadian who has suffered from torture. There are many Bouzaris, Kazemis, Sampsons, and Arars residing in Canada, in addition to the thousands of other victims whose stories have not made the headlines. The pleas of these victims for justice ought to be heard in a court of law.

Having regained life after my horrifying ordeal finally ended, I am now determined to show my appreciation for the value of life by dedicating all of my time and effort to campaigning for the eradication of torture in all corners of the world.

In order to put an end to state sponsored torture, assist victims, and contribute to the total abolition of torture everywhere, I have founded a new and widely ambitious organization named the International Coalition Against Torture, which aims at taking all the necessary and lawful steps to abolish sovereign immunity for all acts of torture, so that the pathway to justice for all victims of torture will be open.

Please join us to make our world one where torture will have no place.

Houshang Bouzari.
Nov 2003

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