Maher Arar and extraordinary rendition
In chapter 6 “Basic Rights” under section 6.2.1 “Habeas Corpus” I briefly mention the case of Maher Arar, a Canadian who was abducted in New York and taken to Syria, where he was tortured and detained without any legal justification. Since then Arar has been cleared by the Canadian government of any connection to terrorism. His appeal of his case is still pending in US court, after having been twice declined on the basis that simply hearing his case would pose a threat to United States national security.
Today Arar was the guest on Fresh Air with Terry Gross on National Public Radio. His story is shocking, compelling, and horrifying to people who believe in basic human rights. For anyone who missed it, this interview is well worth a listen.
A correction: in the book I stated that Arar was confined in a coffin. This was a misunderstanding: Arar describes his cell as a “grave”: three feet wide, six feet long, seven feet high, with no light, no furniture, and filthy, which he described as “a phychological torture on its own.” He states that he was beaten harshly on a nearly daily basis and still has scars on his hips.
It is inexcusable that this man was detained in this manner and shipped to Syria for torture by Amerian operatives. As the ultimate source of power in this country, we, the people, must hold those operatives, and their superiors, accountable to the laws which they have violated.
And the court must hear his case. As his lawyer pointed out, our democracy is founded on the separation of powers; yet the courts have been deferring to the executive in this matter. The case must be heard, in the name of justice, democracy, and freedom. Can I get a Presidential candidate to weigh in on this?
Tags: basic rights, detention, extraordinary rendition, Habeas Corpus, Maher Arar, torture