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Do the right and honourable thing

June 23, 2009 22:06

On April 23, 2009, the Canadian Federal Court ordered the Canadian government to ask the United States to return Omar Khadr to Canada.

In the face of seven years of unlawful detention in Guantanamo Bay, it was the only remedy the court could offer to address the serious and ongoing human rights violation in this case.

Justice James W. O'Reilly found that the Canadian government had and has failed to abide by its obligations under both the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and international human rights laws including the Convention Against Torture, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

He further criticized government officials for both participating "directly in conduct that failed to respect Mr. Khadr's rights" and implicitly condoned the imposition of sleep deprivation techniques on (Omar Khadr), having carried out interviews knowing that he had been subjected to these and other abuses.

Omar Khadr's military commission proceedings were suspended in January after U.S. President Barack Obama requested a review of all pending cases. He subsequently issued an Executive Order to close Guantanamo Bay within one year.

One way or another Omar Khadr will be leaving, yet the Canadian government continues to maintain a "wait and see" policy of inaction, and has now indicated it will appeal the Canadian Federal Court decision.

Only 15 years old at the time of his capture in the summer of 2002, Omar Khadr was transferred to Guantanamo Bay; he is believed to be the first child combatant to face trial for "alleged" war crimes while allegations and proof of his torture have never been investigated.

Other responsible governments have worked and work to protect the rights of their citizens in U.S. detention and negotiated their repatriation.

U.S. courts have ordered the release of other detainees in Guantanamo, so why is my government, the Canadian government, the only western government to abandon a citizen (a child) abroad in unlawful detention? Why is it, my government sees it fit to ignore a ruling by the Canadian Federal Courts? In my Canada, our Canada, we guarantee the rights of equality and justice to all of our citizens, without exception!

For once do the right, and honourable thing Mr. Harper and Ms. Guergis.

David Aspenlieder,
Everett

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