British Columbia Civil Liberties Association | 10 December 2003 | For Immediate Release

On International Human Rights Day, Civil Liberties Group Proposes Terms for Public Inquiry Into Maher Arar Case

Canada's oldest civil liberties organization, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, has created draft terms of reference for a public inquiry into the case of Maher Arar.

In an open letter published in the Globe and Mail on December 10, 2003, International Human Rights Day, the BCCLA called on Paul Martin to act immediately upon his appointment as Prime Minister of Canada to create a public inquiry into the Arar case.

BCCLA President John Russell, signatory to the letter to Mr. Martin, states:

"This is one of the most important civil liberties cases in this country's history. We will be judged by whether we can ensure that what happened to Mr. Arar never happens to another Canadian citizen. Only the accountability afforded by a public inquiry can permit us to accomplish this goal with any confidence."

In the draft terms of reference, the BCCLA is urging scrutiny of all governmental agencies that may have had a hand in the mistreatment of Mr. Arar including:

  • the RCMP
  • the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
  • the Canadian military
  • Department of Foreign Affairs

A public inquiry into Mr. Arar's case must determine:

  • what information was shared with American authorities and by whom,
  • the extent of involvement by Canadian officials in Mr. Arar's detention and deportation to Syria
  • whether Canadian officials acted appropriately to ensure Mr. Arar's due process and other rights as Canadian while in the custody of American, Jordanian and Syrian officials,
  • why Canadian officials could not secure the release of Mr. Arar to Canada by the United States
  • whether and if so, how, Canadian officials contributed to the interrogation and mistreatment of Mr. Arar by Syrian officials
  • whether and to what extent Canadian officials have had any involvement in the public disclosure of allegations that Mr. Arar has been involved in terrorist activities
  • whether Mr. Arar has been involved in any terrorist activities (to clear Mr. Arar's name)

The BCCLA is recommending that the inquiry should lead to recommendations for change regarding security intelligence information sharing and diplomatic protocols to ensure that Canadians' rights are protected by foreign countries.

To view the BCCLA letter to Mr. Martin and the BCCLA's draft terms of reference for a public inquiry into the Maher Arar case, visit the BCCLA website at: www.bccla.org.

December 10, 2003 is the 55th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. John Humphries, a Canadian, was instrumental in the drafting of the Universal Declaration.

 

British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
425 - 815 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC
V6C 1B4

E-mail: info@bccla.org
Web: www.bccla.org
Tel: 604-687-2919
Fax: 604-687-3045

The BCCLA is a non-partisan, autonomous charitable society that is member/donor based.
Please call 604-687-2919 to inquire about supporting the BCCLA.

 
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