Omar Ahmed Khadr

Bernard Amyot, the head of the Canadian Bar Association is asking the Canadian government to intervene in the case of Omar Ahmed Khadr, the youngest detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Khadr who was captured by the U.S. military in Afganistan in July 2002 and transfered to Guantanamo in October 2002 when he was 15 years old. He has been there six years, a quarter of his life. Omar Khadr is the only person in modern history to be charged for war crimes he allegedly committed while a minor. His story has been told in detail in the Globe and Mail, Rolling Stone Magazine, CBS television, CBC television, CTV, Amnesty International, Human Rights First, and Trial Watch among others. Yesterday (7 May 2008) the Globe and Mail reported that "Even by the surreal standards of the Omar Khadr saga - one that has seen allegations of doctored evidence and arguments over whether the detained Canadian is allowed to read a Lord of the Rings screenplay - the scene in Ottawa yesterday was striking: About 50 teenagers dancing and demonstrating on Parliament Hill, chanting "Omar! Omar!" and demanding Mr. Khadr get a fair trial." And Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion kicked off Question Period yesterday by asking Prime Minister Stephen Harper why he is refusing to demand the return of Canadian citizen Omar Khadr from Guantanamo Bay.

This represents a clear shift in both institutional and popular support within Canada for the return of Omar Khadr to stand trial in Canada. There is little hope left that the U.S. military courts and the heavy hand of the Bush administration will allow even the appearance of justice in this already sorry case. Intervention by the Canadian government is the only chance that Khadr can receive a fair trial. Let us hope that the Canadian government will have the courage and integrity to stand up for the rights of one of its own citizens.

We respectfully add our voices to the call for the Canadian government to intervene in the Khadr case and to work to end this shameful chapter. If you want to add your voice, visit the Amnesty International website entitled "Bring Omar Khadr to Justice. Bring him to Canada."

... Bob