I need your help. I have just been made aware of something that is completely OUTRAGEOUS and unjust.
There is an organization called the Appeal of Conscience Foundation headquartered in New York. At their upcoming dinner they will be honoring Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada as "World Statesman of the Year".
Why is this a problem ?
Here is an excerpt from their About Us page:
The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, founded by Rabbi Arthur Schneier in 1965, has worked on behalf of religious freedom and human rights throughout the world. This interfaith coalition of business and religious leaders promotes peace, tolerance and ethnic conflict resolution. The Foundation believes that freedom, democracy and human rights are the fundamental values that give nations of the world their best hope for peace, security and shared prosperity.
Appeal of Conscience delegations have met with religious and government leaders in Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Bulgaria, People's Republic of China, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Cuba, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Germany, Holy See, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Panama, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the former Yugoslavia. The Foundation also hosts delegations from abroad to acquaint them with the diversity of American religious life and its contribution to a civil society.
The Appeal of Conscience Foundation has long held that "a crime committed in the name of religion is the greatest crime against religion." The struggle for human rights is ongoing and tolerance can be achieved by promoting open dialogue and mutual understanding. After September 11th, the foundation has rallied religious leaders worldwide to take a stand against terrorism and to use their influence to halt violence and promote tolerance.
Stephen Harper has, for his entire time in power allowed a tortured Canadian child, now grown, Omar Khadr, to languish in Guantanamo. Omar has been there almost ten years. He will turn 26 in a few days. As we speak, his application for repatriation is in the hands of Canada's Minister of Public Safety, who has given the impression he will not make a decision until December.
Now, I suspect their reasoning behind giving this award to Harper is to reward him for standing up against terrorism, but the FACT is that the Canadian Supreme Court found Canada violated our obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture and the Optional Protocol on Child Soldiers. We CANNOT let this go unchallenged.
What can YOU do ?
Please, email Rabbi Arthur Schneier at appealofconscience@msn.com
or fax his office at Fax: 212-628-2513
or phone his office at 212-535-5800
There is also a petition at Avaaz, but I can't get the link to copy. If you search for it on that site, it should come up.
Please, especially if you are Canadian, do not allow Prime Minister Harper's despicable behaviour be rewarded without comment.
Thank you for doing the right thing.
Standing for justice and accountability,
For Dan,
Heather