BS: Only one of many

Subject: RE: BS: Only one of many
From: dianavan
Date: 05 Dec 04 - 04:37 AM

Owlkat - Are you sure "our gov't has publicly stated that it will not support or help any Canadian citizen in trouble with foreign authorities, or interfere in any way with criminal proceedings against Canadian citizens in foreign countries."?

What does "in trouble" mean? Shouldn't there be a travel advisory by the Consulate if this is true? Where did you get this information?

Now you have me worried. I have to travel through the U.S. at least four times in the next few months.

I know this particular case is dragging but I also know that many people care about what happened to Maher and do not want to see it happen to others.

Subject: RE: BS: Only one of many
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 05 Dec 04 - 04:33 AM

It seems shocking to me that these things happen to anyone, anywhere at any time..whether or not they are innocent or guilty.
Innocent until proven guilty should be the method used in any action and if evidence is available then they should be "tried" for want of a better word, immediately or as soon as possible so that they may not be held, if innocent, for any length of time.
Is Maher Arar innocent? Has it been proven either that he has or has not been involved with al-qaeda? I assume, as you say he is an innocent man that proof of that must be available or that absolutely no proof exists that he is.
If that is true then it is a total travesty of justice and really does need looking into...the same thing could happen to anyone.
Best wishes.

Subject: RE: BS: Only one of many
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Dec 04 - 04:25 AM

As a codacil to that story, here are some more recent bits of info. To this date, no government action has been taken to benefit or support Mr. Arar at all.
National news sources have revealed that CSIS (our token version of the fbi) and the Mounties traded confidential information about him to U.S. agencies during the affair. In addition to this underwhelming support of Canadians in trouble overseas, our gov't has publicly stated that it will not support or help any Canadian citizen in trouble with foreign authorities, or interfere in any way with criminal proceedings against Canadian citizens in foreign countries. Doesn't that just warm the frickin' cockles of your heart. It doesn't affect me, because I'm a fulltime university student, and I won't be travelling anywhere on my own dime until 2025 at least.
Cheers,
Owlkat

Subject: RE: BS: Only one of many
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Dec 04 - 04:25 AM

Good to have an update of this. We've had several mentions of it in the past. A search on his name turns up the various threads: clickety

Thanks,

kat

(Whoops, I see a link to the results doesn't work. Sorry)

Subject: BS: Only one of many
From: dianavan
Date: 05 Dec 04 - 04:11 AM

This is a story everyone should know about because it is a very good example of whats to come unless we do everything we can to fight it. The fact that he is Canadian is important to me but, in fact, he could be anyone from any country. Please read and google for more information regarding the torture an innocent man endured and the ongoing investigation of how it was allowed to happen.

"Maher's Story in Brief
Maher Arar is a 34-year-old wireless technology consultant. Arar was born in Syria and at the age of 17, came to Canada with his family. He became a Canadian citizen in 1991 and in 1997 moved to Ottawa.

In September 2002, Arar was in Tunisia, vacationing with his wife Monia Mazigh and their two small children. On Sept. 26 while in transit in New York's JFK airport, he was detained by US officials and interrogated about alleged links to al-Qaeda. Twelve days later, he was chained, shackled and flown to Jordan aboard a private plane and from there transferred to a Syrian prison.

In Syria, he was held in a tiny "grave-like" cell for ten months and ten days before he was moved to a better cell in a different prison. He was beaten, tortured and forced to make a false confession.

During his imprisonment, Monia campaigned relentlessly on his behalf. After many representations from Canadian Human Rights organizations and a growing number of citizens, the Government of Canada, on Jan. 28, 2004, announced a Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar."