For Immediate Release -- Thursday, January 31, 2008
United Church Appeals to Prime Minister on behalf of Om ar Khadr
Toronto: In a letter sent this week to Canadian Prim e Minister Stephen Harper, The United Church of Canada has asked that he formally intervene with the Government of the United States on behalf of Omar Khadr.
Khadr, whom the U.S. has classified as an enemy combata nt, has been held in custody at a naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, s ince his capture in Afghanistan in July 2002.
"The United Church acknowledges the complexity of the sit uation but believes that the overriding issue is his age at the time of capture. We do not believe that Canada should remain silent in a precedent-setting prosecution of a child soldier for war crimes, least of all when that child is a Canadian citizen," writes Nora Sanders, the General Secretary of the General Council.
In the letter, Sanders draws particular attention to fact that Canada is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rig hts of the Child. She notes that Article Two says that "States Parties sh all take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protecte d against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of t he status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members."
In addition to asking Mr. Harper to intervene on behalf of Khadr, the United Church's letter also requests
* that the Prime Minister insist that Khadr be returned to Canada
* that when Khadr is returned to Canada, he either be released or charged with a recognizable criminal offence and prosecuted through a process where he will be afforded all the protection av ailable under the criminal justice system
* that no evidence obtained under torture will be used in any proceedings
* that while these actions are in progress, the Prime Minister ensure that Khadr is afforded adequate contact with his family
Sanders says the church also believes that it is import ant that the role of the Canadian government in the interrogations of Khadr , including the positions taken formally or informally by the government in respect to the rights of Khadr to appropriate counsel and legal ad vice, be examined.
"We are therefore requesting that an independent review o f the Canadian government's involvement in Khadr's detention be implemented, " says Sanders.
She ends the letter by saying she hopes the Prime Min ister receives the church's requests "as an indication of our desire that Canada continue to be recognized throughout the world as a just and c ivil society, and as a leader in the protection of children affected by war."
For further information, please contact:
Mary-Frances Denis Communications Officer The United Church of Canada 416-231-7680 ext. 2016 (office)
--30--
This message contains information that may be privileged or confidential and is the property of The United Churc h of Canada. It is intended for the sole use of the i ntended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you a re not authorized to read, print, retain copy, disseminate, distribute, or use this message or any part thereof. If you receive this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this me ssage.