Canadian Federal Court Judge Walter O'Reilly has issued a ruling that requires Stephen Harper, the conservative Prime Minister of Canada, to request repatriation of Omar Khadr to Canada as reported in the Globe and Mail.
“The ongoing refusal of Canada to request Mr. Khadr's repatriation to Canada offends a principle of fundamental justice and violates Mr. Khadr's rights,"......
“To mitigate the effect of that violation, Canada must present a request to the United States for Mr. Khadr's repatriation as soon as practicable.” Judge O'Reilly said in his 43-page decision
As many of you know, Omar Khadr has been held at GITMO for 6 years having been accused of killing a US soldier when he was 15 years old.
Mr. Harper has steadfastly refused to get involved, saying Mr. Khadr faces serious accusations and the legal process in the U.S. has to play itself out.
But Judge O'Reilly accepted arguments from Mr. Khadr's lawyers that Mr. Harper should have sought his repatriation on the grounds that Canada was complicit in the detainee's torture.
Chacounne recently diaried about the torture of Omar Khadr. I'd recommend her diary for details about his abuse.
I hate it when courts have to intervene to force Politicians to uphold the moral character of the country, but that is what has just happened. I think the US could do with some similar moral guidance from the courts on torture.