Well, this Omar Khadr imprisonment just got thrown another anvil its way. The United States does not seem intent on creating the conditions for a fair trial for these people, none the least Mr. Khadr, who was only 15 years old when he was captured. I think it is pretty ridiculous to imprison someone that young that long, regardless of crime, especially when no trial has taken place, and with the sketchy evidence to which they hold him in the first place. Of course, this problem with Khadr wouldn't have happened in the first place, were it not for our Conservative government, which has about as much compassion as a chuck of rock.
Barack Obama intends shut down Guantanamo Bay as soon as he takes office. It seems almost like the last throws of a madman that would cause the proceedings to restart again, as was stated in the opening link. The military presumably wants to keep Guantanamo open due to its leverage to the enemy. However, our democratic system, as well as that in the US, is based on a constitution that applies to all citizens. And to not look like a bunch of hypocrites, they should really apply it to those they imprison from other countries as well. Khadr deserves a fair trial outside of the military organization, and he deserves to be released if that is not going to happen, as per our constitution. Section 9 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms states:
- 9. Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.
And section 11 part b states:
- 11. Any person charged with an offence has the right
(b) to be tried within a reasonable time;
By refusing to push for these rights to be exercised, Stephen Harper has proven that he has no moral leadership to run this country. The problem that in his circle it is popular to detain a so called "terrorist". And it seems that now a days, grasping onto power is more important than protecting the individual rights of the citizen.
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