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The Family of Anas Bennis Plans on Launching a Civil Suit

<>Two years after the murder of Anas Bennis by Montreal police, his family demands an immediate public inquiry into the case.

Montreal, May 15th 2008 - The family of Anas Bennis, killed on December 1st 2005 by two officers of the Montreal Police, plans on launching a civil suit and calls for an immediate public inquiry on the circumstances surrounding his death.

Over two years after Anas Bennis, a 25 year old Canadian of Moroccan heritage, was shot and killed at the corner of Cote des Neiges and Kent, while he was coming back from his morning prayer, his family still knows nothing about the events that led to his death.

Despite the sustained efforts to reach out to the Chief Coroner and to the Minister of Justice and Public Safety in order to disclose information and obtain a public inquiry, no evidence has been released to the family, and their questions remain unanswered. Since Anas Bennis died, the silence of government authorities protects the Police and the officers responsible for his death, while the family cannot press criminal charges against them. The only avenue for the family to get answers to their questions is that of a public inquiry and eventually a civil suit. However, this procedure has to be initiated within 3 years of the incident.

“We know very well that deadlines are getting closer, and that if we still don’t hear from the Chief Coroner and the Minister of Justice and Public Safety before December 1st, we won’t have any options left. We need information to know whether there is ground for a civil suit, so we demand an immediate public inquiry” stated Najlaa Bennis, Anas’ sister.

Many organizations have supported the Bennis family, including human rights groups, community organizations – amongst them several Muslim and North African groups, as well as local Members of Parliament.

<>“The Bennis family has the right to obtain answers to their questions and only a public inquiry will reveal the truth about the circumstances surrounding the death of Anas Bennis,” said Green Carpenter, political attaché of MP Thomas Mulcair, who supports the campaign.