Canadian citizen Omar Khadr, was held by American forces in Afghanistan in July 2002 and transferred to Guantánamo Naval Base in October 2002. Khadr was only 15 years old when he was taken to Guantánamo. He has spent more than a quarter of his life there and is now in his sixth year of confinement.
The then child combatant, has been accused of killing a US soldier with a hand grenade. There is legitimate doubt about this claim.
When the documents relating to Khadr's case changed hands as a result of the discovery process, there were indications that the original report detailing the killing of the American serviceman had been altered.
The original report - dated July 20th, 2002 - stated that the person who threw the grenade had died. This information was altered in the interim to indicate that the grenade thrower had survived.
Khadr's lawyer explains the alteration as being: "The reality that was most convenient to the United States government at that time.”
We have learned more recently that Khadr was abused by his American captors. It is known that he was subjected to sleep deprivation techniques - named "the frequent flyer program." According to Khadr he was also tortured by US personnel in Afghanistan.
Canadian officials who visited Khadr in Guantanamo, say that he was frequently in tears, afraid to speak. One official described him as "thoroughly screwed up."
A recent Canadian court decision resulted in Ottawa having to release documents that clearly indicate the Canadian government was fully aware of Khadr's plight as far back as 2003-2004.
In Canada a juvenile offender convicted of murder, would face a maximum of 6 years in prison. Khadr has already served this time and endured abuse and humiliation in the process.
All Harper has to do is give the nod and Omar Khadr would be able to return home. As it stands this case is tainting the name of Canada - the last member of the North Atlantic Alliance to let one of its citizens remain in Guantanamo.
The fact that Khadr was a young teen when the events unfolded makes this sordid affair all the more shameful.
The then child combatant, has been accused of killing a US soldier with a hand grenade. There is legitimate doubt about this claim.
When the documents relating to Khadr's case changed hands as a result of the discovery process, there were indications that the original report detailing the killing of the American serviceman had been altered.
The original report - dated July 20th, 2002 - stated that the person who threw the grenade had died. This information was altered in the interim to indicate that the grenade thrower had survived.
Khadr's lawyer explains the alteration as being: "The reality that was most convenient to the United States government at that time.”
We have learned more recently that Khadr was abused by his American captors. It is known that he was subjected to sleep deprivation techniques - named "the frequent flyer program." According to Khadr he was also tortured by US personnel in Afghanistan.
Canadian officials who visited Khadr in Guantanamo, say that he was frequently in tears, afraid to speak. One official described him as "thoroughly screwed up."
A recent Canadian court decision resulted in Ottawa having to release documents that clearly indicate the Canadian government was fully aware of Khadr's plight as far back as 2003-2004.
In Canada a juvenile offender convicted of murder, would face a maximum of 6 years in prison. Khadr has already served this time and endured abuse and humiliation in the process.
All Harper has to do is give the nod and Omar Khadr would be able to return home. As it stands this case is tainting the name of Canada - the last member of the North Atlantic Alliance to let one of its citizens remain in Guantanamo.
The fact that Khadr was a young teen when the events unfolded makes this sordid affair all the more shameful.
Tags:
