National News Stories

Ottawa – The Liberal Party condemned the Harper Conservatives’ decision today to appeal a federal court ruling calling on the government to remedy its breach of Omar Khadr’s constitutional rights, and has called on the Prime Minister to seek Mr. Khadr’s repatriation to Canada.

“The Federal Court has been categorically clear – the Harper government has not done enough to protect Khadr's constitutional rights,” said Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae.

“The Court gave the government seven days to come up with a list of remedies to rectify the situation, and, with its announcement of an appeal today, it’s clear this government is continuing to thumb its nose at the basic rights of Canadians and at our legal system.”

Last week, Federal Court Justice Russell Zinn gave the Harper government one more week to bring forward a solution – or have one imposed on it by the courts – that lives up to January’s Supreme Court ruling that found the Harper government has repeatedly failed to protect Mr. Khadr's constitutional rights.  

“This arrogant government has launched appeal after appeal with regards to this case, even though the rest of the democratized world has long recognized the rights violations involved,” said Mr. Rae.

“For years, the Liberal Party and rights advocates have called for this government to respect basic human rights and seek Mr. Khadr’s repatriation. And Stephen Harper has ignored the calls. He seems to think Canada’s system of legal checks and balances doesn’t apply to him and his government.

“Mr. Harper, you are not above the law – you must stop shirking your responsibility in defending the basic rights of all Canadians, and immediately engage with the Obama administration to repatriate Mr. Khadr.”