Seeking Full Accountability for the Death of Soleiman Faqiri |
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August 16th, 2021
On August 5th, 2021, a Forensic report was issued by Ontario's chief forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Pollanen. It confirmed that events leading to the death of 30-year-old Soleiman Faqiri— including prone position restraint, blunt impact trauma of the neck and body, handcuffing, shackling, application of a spit hood, and exposure to pepper spray after worsening symptoms of schizophrenia—together contributed to his tragic death.
“His death occurred during struggle and restraint by correctional officers,” Pollanen concluded.
On December 4th, 2016, Faqiri, a Canadian living with schizophrenia and no criminal record, was apprehended by police in Ajax. While in custody, Faqiri was subjected to inhumane treatment, including segregation, beatings, and pepper spray. These same abuses by the guards continued, eventually leading to the day he was killed by the same people meant to look after him. One day, Faqiri was found in his cell shackled, pepper-sprayed and face down with his head covered, enduring horrendous violence and torture before his life came to an end.
For decades, correctional institutes in Canada have imposed cruel and degrading punishments on prisoners. Canada has not adopted the same international standards that protect those in prison systems. According to the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, ideal alternatives to prison life are often ignored by authorities.
Since 2016, Faqiri’s story has inspired important conversations on incarcerating people living with mental illness in Canada. It calls for Federal prison reform to prevent institutional abuse of vulnerable people like Faqiri.
“These developments provide us with cautious optimism, but now we question the legal system’s reliability and competency when it comes to dealing with people living with mental illnesses,” said Taha Ghayyur, Justice For All Canada’s Executive Director. “The Canadian justice system failed Soleiman for five years,” Ghayyur added.
As Faqiri’s case will most likely be referred to provincial police for criminal charges, we demand transparency during the accountability process, including speedy justice for the family.
The Canadian government must recognize that the current prison system lacks the environment and expertise to treat people with mental illnesses.
Justice For All Canada asks:
Our human rights organization remains supportive and committed to the #JusticeForSoli campaign. This inspiring movement has for years pressed for answers and justice, creating a legacy of demanding improvements to Canada’s cruel correctional system.
On August 5th, 2021, a Forensic report was issued by Ontario's chief forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Pollanen. It confirmed that events leading to the death of 30-year-old Soleiman Faqiri— including prone position restraint, blunt impact trauma of the neck and body, handcuffing, shackling, application of a spit hood, and exposure to pepper spray after worsening symptoms of schizophrenia—together contributed to his tragic death.
“His death occurred during struggle and restraint by correctional officers,” Pollanen concluded.
On December 4th, 2016, Faqiri, a Canadian living with schizophrenia and no criminal record, was apprehended by police in Ajax. While in custody, Faqiri was subjected to inhumane treatment, including segregation, beatings, and pepper spray. These same abuses by the guards continued, eventually leading to the day he was killed by the same people meant to look after him. One day, Faqiri was found in his cell shackled, pepper-sprayed and face down with his head covered, enduring horrendous violence and torture before his life came to an end.
For decades, correctional institutes in Canada have imposed cruel and degrading punishments on prisoners. Canada has not adopted the same international standards that protect those in prison systems. According to the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, ideal alternatives to prison life are often ignored by authorities.
Since 2016, Faqiri’s story has inspired important conversations on incarcerating people living with mental illness in Canada. It calls for Federal prison reform to prevent institutional abuse of vulnerable people like Faqiri.
“These developments provide us with cautious optimism, but now we question the legal system’s reliability and competency when it comes to dealing with people living with mental illnesses,” said Taha Ghayyur, Justice For All Canada’s Executive Director. “The Canadian justice system failed Soleiman for five years,” Ghayyur added.
As Faqiri’s case will most likely be referred to provincial police for criminal charges, we demand transparency during the accountability process, including speedy justice for the family.
The Canadian government must recognize that the current prison system lacks the environment and expertise to treat people with mental illnesses.
Justice For All Canada asks:
- Federal Government and Correctional Services Canada to have specially trained officers to respond to incidents involving people with mental health issues.
- For criminal charges against the guards responsible for Faqiri’s death.
- That Canadian Prison reform meaningfully curbs the string of deaths involving people in mental health crises.
Our human rights organization remains supportive and committed to the #JusticeForSoli campaign. This inspiring movement has for years pressed for answers and justice, creating a legacy of demanding improvements to Canada’s cruel correctional system.