A Petition from Leadnow | ‘I Stand with Omar Khadr’


Dear Omar Supporters,

This spring, we sent you a request to sign our​ parlia​me​ntar​y petition calling​ on the government to fulfill our long overdue ​obligation to Omar Khadr by offering an official apology and appropriate compensation for the wrongs he has suffered.

​Thanks to everyone for your positive response.

As you are likely aware, earlier this month the Canadian government awarded compensation to Omar and issued a formal apology ​- a​ huge victory for all who respect our Charter, the rule of law and human rights.

An unfortunate backlash, primarily orchestrated by Conservative Party members, has been a cause of concern and deep frustration to those who have an appreciation of the facts of the case.

However, organizations such as the Vancouver District Labour Council, the UnitedChurch, Independent Jewish Voices and individuals: Elizabeth May, Senators Kim Pate and Wanda Thomas Bernard have already come forward to express support for the settlement.

Leadnow.ca began to circulate a petition ‘I Stand with Omar Khadr’. If you would sign and help distribute, that would be much appreciated.

Leadnow petition link

If you belong to an organization or group, please ask the membership to express support for Omar’s settlement and let us know the result.

Posted ​here​ is a link to the 2013 Edmonton talk by Sam Morison, the Pentagon lawyer who is currently involved in the appeal of Omar’s Guantanamo “convictions”. Morison’s lecture shows that the evidence in the case points to Omar’s innocence rather than his guilt. A must-see for everyone who would like an in depth understanding of the evidence and events that took place on July 27th 2002-almost 15 years ago.

 

In solidarity for universal human rights,

The Free Omar Committee

 
 
FREE Omar Khadr Now Campaign 
          
E        [email protected]
W       www.FreeOmar.ca
FB      like us: Free Omar Khadr Now
TW     follow us: Free Omar Khadr Now
Some cases enshrine the defining moments of their time. Omar Khadr’s is one. Future generations will rightly judge our shocking dereliction of responsibility in this matter and our collective Canadian failure to extend justice and humanity - Constance Backhouse, Distinguished Professor of Law

Scathing responses from constituents on conservative MP Poilievre’s unsolicited email.

Our supporters are wonderful!

Please read these great letters from Deb Innes and Stephanie Gilman, both constituents in Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre’s Carleton riding. They are responding to his circulation of a letter encouraging constituents to sign a petition in protest of Omar’s settlement (see below). They state that his poisonous message reflects a disturbing ignorance of the facts and criticise his party’s shameful politicalisation of the recent settlement.

Both letters here:

Letter Deb Innes:

“I will definitely NOT sign the petition as I totally disagree. I do not think you should be using the term ‘confessed terrorist’ for a confession achieved through torture. I thought Canada was a better place that did not condone torture and the often false confessions it elicits. I have no idea if he threw that grenade or not, but I know he was a child stuck in a situation not of his own making. I have a 15 year old son and I can’t imagine the same for him. It horrifies me to think of what he went through before that battle and after.

I feel that the Conservative party is making this payment a political statement, which it should not be, and trying to gain votes as many people do not know the whole story. All people hear, from your party and others, is that the liberals are paying a ‘confessed terrorist’. I am ashamed to live in your riding when you send out emails like this.

Please spend your time trying to make the world a better place instead of wasting time writing emails like the one below,

Deb Innes”

 

Letter Stephanie Gilman:

Mr. Pierre Poilievre,

What I find completely unacceptable is your use of the words ‘confessed terrorist’. Omar Khadr was a tortured child soldier whose confession was achieved through means defined as torture by the United Nations Convention Against Torture, of which Canada is a signatory. Therefore, his confession is not to be given any credence.

Through UNICEF Canada, the Canadian government supports the rehabilitation of child soldiers who have done unspeakable acts in various sub-Sahara African countries. However, it seems that as Khadr is convicted of killing an American, various groups think he should be labelled a terrorist.

The Canadian government ignored its citizen, Omar Khadr, while he was tortured at Guantanamo. For these crimes, the Canadian government must pay restitution. I agree that payment is unfortunate, but it is the only way to make restitution for the government’s abhorrent treatment of Khadr. Acceptance of responsibility and an apology would also be a step forward.

Precedent has been set by the Canadian government for paying for its mistakes in wrongful conviction, eg. David Milgaard and Steven Truscott. Khadr lost 13 years of his life largely due to the Canadian government’s unwillingness to defend a Canadian citizen held illegally in a United States controlled facility. I think that Canada is getting off easy.

I would hope the government learns from its mistakes and does not further this debacle nor repeats its lack of support for other Canadian citizens detained abroad. Your email, however, leads me to believe that a Conservative government would be unwilling to learn.

I am forwarding your horrendous and self-aggrandizing email to as many of your constituents as possible. It is a continuation of the various bandwagons on which you have jumped in an attempt to further your own political interests. I hope that your constituents take the time to share their views with you.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Gilman

…………………………………………………………………………………..
LETTER FROM POILIEVRE TO CONSTITUENTS

Trudeau government quietly paid
$10.5 million to Omar Khadr

Dear Friend,

Last week, the Liberal government was caught quietly giving convicted and confessed terrorist Omar Khadr $10.5 million of taxpayers’ money.

This is reprehensible. Canadian taxpayers did not force Omar Khadr to fight for the Taliban in Afghanistan, nor did we imprison him in Guantanamo Bay. Additionally, Canadian soldiers who are injured or killed in combat receive a maximum Disability Award of $360,000 - or just 3.4% of what the Trudeau government awarded Khadr.

So why do WE need to pay him $10.5 million?

What is most amazing is that the Supreme Court did NOT rule that the government was required to pay Khadr - it was a political decision by Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal cabinet. Trudeau insulted the many Canadians who fought and died combating the Taliban.

If you disagree with Justin Trudeau’s decision to pay Khadr $10.5 million, click here to sign the petition.

Sincerely,

Hon. Pierre Poilievre, PC, MP
Carleton

Heart warming messages to Omar Khadr

We have been sharing some of the heart warming messages that we receive via email and forward to Omar. Here is one recently received from Irene O’Toole and posted here with her permission. Despite years of lies and misinformation, it is reassuring that so many Canadians can determine the truth.


“To you all I want you to know how grateful I and all those I know are for the many years of selfless hard work you have put in to bringing this final justice for Omar Khadr. I was there, in Toronto, outside the US Embassy probably eleven years ago protesting with others who value justice and yet, inside, we felt a diminishing sense of hope between George W and Stephen Harper.

But today, thanks to your work Omar Khadr has his apology and although it does not turn back the clock on the atrocities he suffered at the hands of the Canadian and US governments, hopefully it will give him some sense of recognition of the wrongs done to him.

To Denis Edney…..please tell him, he is a hero of humanity, a global role model and a wonderful guy, his wife and family also for their support. They are revered by many people in my community and I am sure across Canada and the world.

To Omar Khadr…….please don’t feel you have to answer any more questions, it is public service leaders who need to answer the questions and you are young and can now finally get on with finding your life.

To all you ‘backroom’ workers, thank goodness you had the tenacity to keep this fight for justice going, it feels good to know such great people are out there willing to share their time, skill and courage to fight for what is right,

Best wishes to you all, please forward this to Omar Khadr and Denis Edney for me, thx”

 


 

 

Heart warming messages to Omar Khadr

We are sharing some of the heart warming messages that we receive via email and forward to Omar. Here is one recently received from Robert Bradley and posted here with his permission.

Despite years of lies and misinformation, it is reassuring that so many Canadians can determine the truth.

“Please relay my message to Omar.

Have been following the goings on on television and in the media. As a proud Canadian, I’d like Omar to know I support him 100%. I would not think twice about hiring him if I was in the position to do so.

Tell him not to get down…hang in there and I am sure after all this present media attention passes, things will be improve for hIm.”

 


 

Garossino’s tweet questioning Omar’s ‘guilt’ goes viral!

Garossino Tweet - Omar Khadr

Former Crown Prosecutor Sandy Garossino’s tweet questioning Omar’s ‘guilt’ goes viral!

“If you’re convinced #Khadr killed Speer, please read this & then explain how he did it. …. I’ll wait.
http://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/07/07/opinion/what-if-omar-khadr-isnt-guilty

Her article exposes the faulty arguments put forth during the military commission hearings - the only plausible explanation for the death of Speer completely exonerates Omar.

Garossino’s challenge to prove otherwise has so far been unanswered. ….

 

 


 

 

NEWSLETTER FREE OMAR KHADR NOW | JULY 2017

NEWSLETTER FREE OMAR KHADR NOW | JULY 2017.

THIS is the kind of information that is required when assessing the Khadr settlement.


Exclusive TV interview with Omar Khadr |

Episodes 24 | 60, ICI radio Canada - http://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/24-60/site/episodes/385251/omar-khadr-guantanamo-prison


What if Omar Khadr isn’t guilty? |

By Sandy Garossino for the National Observer - http://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/07/07/opinion/what-if-omar-khadr-isnt-guilty


Ottawa failed Omar Khadr: That’s why he deserves compensation |

By Audrey Macklin | Special to The Globe and Mail - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/ottawa-failed-khadr-thats-why-he-deserves-compensation/article35552410/


By Romeo Dallaire and Alex Neve | Opinion  The Globe and Mail - https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/canada-failed-omar-khadr-compensation-and-an-apology-was-the-right-move/article35623662/?ref=https://www.theglobeandmail.com&


Omar Khadr fact check paints a clearer picture of the case and the incident underlying it |

By Michelle Shephard for the Toronto Star - https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/07/10/omar-khadr-fact-check-paints-a-clearer-picture-of-the-case-and-the-incident-underlying-it.html


Who’s to blame for the Khadr payout? Stephen Harper, mostly |

iPolitics.ca | This is what ignoring the rule of law costs: $10 million and change - http://ipolitics.ca/2017/07/11/whos-to-blame-for-the-khadr-payout-stephen-harper-mostly/


Omar Khadr and the Shame of the Canadian Press |

By Omar Aziz | The Walrus - https://thewalrus.ca/omar-khadr-and-the-shame-of-the-canadian-press/


What 3 legal minds think about the Omar Khadr settlement |

By Aaron Wherry | CBC News – http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/omar-khadr-legal-analysis-aaron-wherry-1.4199409


 

Did you read this article about Omar Khadr that everybody is talking about?

Free Omar has always maintained that the only evidence presented by the sham Guantanamo process revealed Omar’s innocence not his guilt. This brilliant article exposes that the case has been dominated by the presumption of guilt. Yet the evidence tells a different story.

Read here > What if Omar Khadr isn’t guilty? | By Sandy Garossino for the National Observer

 


 

Federal government officially apologizes to Omar Khadr


July 7th 2017 - A day of great significance for all those who value justice and fundamental freedoms. The Government of Canada issued a formal apology to Omar Khadr. Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould: ‘I hope Canadians take away two things today: Our rights are not subject to the whims of the government of the day, and there are serious costs when the government violates the rights of its citizens.’

With great poise Omar responds to questions in a CBC interview.

 


 

Oh Happy Day! Canada Offers Omar Khadr Apology and Compensation.

Please join us in extending our deepest respect to Omar for the dignity and strength he has maintained throughout the years of this horrendous ordeal!

We wish to acknowledge the perseverance, diligence and dedication of his lawyers, Dennis Edney, Nate Whitling and Phillips Gill; the love and warmth of the Edney family; the people of Edmonton who opened their hearts to Omar and to everyone who supported Omar all along the way.

 

The Free Omar & Pour Omar campaign


ANALYSIS | Why will Omar Khadr receive $10.5M? Because his rights were violated


Star article: Khadr to get apology, compensation over $10M as lawsuit settled


Factsheet and background to the Omar Khadr case


Article about background settlement: Mr. Trudeau: It’s Not Just About Omar Khadr


G&M opinion, Audrey Macklin: Ottawa failed Omar Khadr: That’s why he deserves compensation