Prime Minister Should Comply with Our Courts

OTTAWA—A Federal court ruling today in the case of Omar Khadr substantiates what the Green Party has been saying all along: “comply with a principle of fundamental justice” and repatriate Mr. Khadr.  

This Conservative government has refused to comply with United Nations’ child soldier protocols to which Canada is a signatory.   The Prime Minister has said he will appeal today’s federal court decision, which calls for an immediate repatriation.

“This government is showing contempt of international law and now even contempt for our own federal courts,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of Canada’s Greens.  “At what point will this government comply with our laws?”     

Mr. Khadr, who was fifteen years old at the time of his arrest, still languishes in Guantanamo Bay--a facility which even the US President now calls a venue for torture and illegal abuse.  Mr. Khadr’s lawyers have accused the Canadian government of being complicit in the detainee's reported torture and mistreatment while in U.S custody.  Mr. Khadr is the sole Western prisoner to not be repatriated by his country of origin.  

"We call on the Prime Minster to accept the ruling of the court and contact the US government to request the repatriation of Omar Khadr,” said Ms. May.

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca