Honourable senators, I rise today to provide an update on the ongoing tragic case of Soleiman Faqiri, who, on December 15, 2016, died as a result of injuries he sustained from guards while in custody in a segregation unit at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ontario.

This is the second time I am speaking about this case in this chamber, colleagues; the first time being on October 2, 2020. The reason for today’s statement is to note the recent launch of the inquest, on November 20, into Soleiman’s needless death.

On December 4, 2016, at the age of 30, Soleiman, who had diagnosed schizophrenia, allegedly attacked a neighbour, but, despite his serious mental illness, was taken to a correctional centre instead of a mental health facility.

Soleiman was found dead in his cell 11 days later after a violent altercation with several guards. He was struck multiple times by guards, pepper-sprayed twice without his face being decontaminated, shackled, face down and had a spit hood over his head.

The inquest, expected to conclude next week on December 8, has revealed previously unreleased video of Soleiman’s last moments and has heard from professionals who, in one way or another, were associated with observing or attending to him — those meant to keep him safe. The video is difficult to watch, but I would encourage senators and the Canadian public to do so.

The inquest has revealed that, despite it being clear that Soleiman needed medical care in the days before his death, he was never transferred to a hospital.

Three years ago, the coroner’s report did not cite a cause of death, but found that Soleiman suffered 50 instances of blunt impact trauma. We now know he died as a direct result of the injuries inflicted upon him by guards and being restrained face down.

Almost seven years after his death, justice for “Soli” — as he is known to the family that loves him — is still proving elusive.

His death is a devastating example of systemic racism in both our correctional and law enforcement systems, not to mention a condemnation of the systemic failure to properly assess and care for individuals with severe mental illness.

Led by his brother, Yusuf, Soli’s family has been fighting for justice since his death.

Will this inquest provide closure for them? Probably not. At best, it might bring changes to the systems that allowed this travesty of justice to occur so that it never happens again.

I conclude with the point I made on this case three years ago. While we consider the systemic problems that contributed to this tragedy and how to rectify them, we must also remember the human element: that a family lost its beloved son and brother. The inquest into Soli’s death cannot bring him back to his family, but it can stop another family from having to suffer as the Faqiris have.

Thank you.