The Canadian Association of University Teachers condemns in the strongest possible terms the Carleton University administration’s unjust termination of the contract of Dr. Hassan Diab. The university’s actions show a blatant disregard of the principles of natural justice and due process, the legal right of an accused to the presumption of innocence, and the responsibility of a university to protect its autonomy from inappropriate outside pressure.
Dr. Diab has been accused of being involved in a bombing of a synagogue in Paris nearly three decades ago and is currently on bail awaiting an extradition hearing. The conditions of his bail permit him to work as an academic. The Carleton University administration was aware of Dr. Diab’s situation when he was hired to teach an introductory sociology class. However, after media reports of his employment at Carleton appeared this week and B’nai Brith issued a statement condemning the University for engaging him, the Carleton administration terminated his contract the next day, in the midst of a class he was teaching.
Carleton University’s actions represent a serious violation of basic rights and procedures. CAUT calls upon the university administration to immediately reinstate Dr. Diab.
