Canada: Summary of LRWC research, education and advocacy on the Omar Khadr case


Reports and Statements since 2007


Omar Khadr repatriated

On September 29th Omar Khadr was repatriated to Canada and is incarcerated in Millhaven Federal prison in Bath Ontario. LRWC has published many reports and other communications on this issue.

The Omar Khadr Case: Implementing the Recommendations of the Committee against Torture

On November 4, 2012 LRWC provided a report to Continuing Committee of Officials on Human Rights (CCOHR) on the implementation of recommendations by CAT in reference to Canada’s handling of the Omar Khadr case. The report can be viewed here: The Omar Khadr Case: Implementing the Recommendations of the Committee against Torture.

Omar Khadr, Oh Canada: Book launch

Omar Khadr, Oh Canada: Book Launch at Vancouver Public Library, Coast Salish Territory, September 19, 2012

Eighty-five people were in attendance for the Vancouver launch of McGill Queen’s publication, Omar Khadr, Oh Canada, on September 19th. It kicked off with Kat Norris drumming a blessing. Several contributors to the anthology spoke, including Editor Janice Williamson, LRWC members Gail Davidson, Grace Woo and Robert Diab along with Alnoor Gova. Maher Arar joined the event by Skype. Audience members also made thoughtful contributions. Videotapes of the event produced by Sid Tan are online (YouTube; see parts 1, 2 and 3.

List of Reports, Statements and Press releases on Omar Khadr since 2007

Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada has been advocating in the Omar Khadr for many years. Below is a list of statements, press releases and reports by LRWC.

Re: Canada’s obligation to Omar Khadr and Ministerial Discretion under the International Transfer of Offenders Act and the amendments proposed by Bill C-5

September 27, 2012 — Re: Canada’s obligation to Omar Khadr and Ministerial Discretion under the International Transfer of Offenders Act and the amendments proposed by Bill C-5 To: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister; The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety From: Gavin … [Read more…]

Re: Legal obligation of Canadian government to repatriate Omar Khadr
August 2, 2012 — The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 Fax: 613-941-6900 E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca The Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada 284 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0H8 Email: … [Read more…]

PRESS RELEASE | Omar Khadr: Committee against Torture recommends transfer to Canada and redress for human rights violations
June 1, 2012 — Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) and International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (CMLG) For Immediate Release Friday, June 01, 2012 (pdf version) Omar Khadr: Committee against Torture recommends transfer to Canada and redress for human rights violations The Committee against … [Read more…]

PRESS RELEASE | Omar Khadr: Canada in Breach of Convention Against Torture and Child Rights Convention
May 15, 2012 — On May 21-22, 2012, the United Nations Committee against Torture will review Canada’s failure to comply with its obligations under the Convention against Torture to prevent, punish and remedy the torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of Canadian Omar Khadr during his ongoing … [Read more…]

Briefing to the Committee Against Torture on the Omar Khadr Case
April 28, 2012 — On April 18, 2012, LRWC and the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (CLMG) filed a report on the Omar Khadr case with the Committee Against Torture. To view the report, please click here. Also see related press releases: Press release of LRWC and CLMG, 1 June 2012 Press … [Read more…]

Canada: Situation of Omar Khadr in Guantanamo Bay Prison: Oral Statement to UNHRC
March 24, 2012 — UNHRC: Situation of Omar Khadr in Guantanamo Bay Prison, LRWC oral statement March 2012 by LRWC … [Read more…]

Canada: Statement to the Human Rights Council on the situation of Omar Khadr in Guantánamo Bay Prison
February 13, 2012 — This statement is a follow-up of the: September/08/2008 report by LRWC and 40 other NGOs and individuals to the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights for consideration on the Universal Periodic Review of Canada; the February/15/2010 LRWC statement to the Council; and, the … [Read more…]

Dennis Edney: Rule of Law in an Age of Terror | Video
September 15, 2011 — In this talk given at UBC on Sept. 15 2011, Dennis Edney, who was Omar Khadr’s Lawyer for eight years, talks about the “War on Terror,” his visits to Guantanamo to see Omar where witnessed the continued building of that illegal prison, and his frustration with the Canadian public’s apathy … [Read more…]

Omar Khadr: LRWC Calls for Repatriation
October 29, 2010 — Omar Khadr: LRWC Calls for Repatriation by LRWC … [Read more…]

Omar Khadr Case: How the Supreme Court of Canada Undermined the Convention on the Rights of the Child
September 1, 2010 – Omar Khadr Case: How the Supreme Court of Canada Undermined the Convention on the Rights of the Child by Grace Li Xiu Woo … [Read more…]

Podcast: Gail Davidson on the Omar Khadr case
June 8, 2010 – Gail Davidson on the Omar Khadr case. Listen Here … [Read more…]

Formal Communication for Consideration and Action Re: Omar Khadr
March 22, 2010 — UN Human Rights Council: Formal Communication for Consideration and Action Re: Omar Khadr by Gail Davidson … [Read more…]

UN Human Rights Council: Omar Khadr, LRWC Report to the 13th Session of the HRC
February 15, 2010 — UN Human Rights Council: Omar Khadr, LRWC Report to the 13th Session of the HRC by LRWC … [Read more…]

Video: Justice for Omar Khadr
January 11, 2010 — January 11, 2010 LRWC, B.C. Civil Liberties Association and StopWar.ca contributed to Amnesty International’s public forum, at Simon Fraser University. LRWC participated in the Justice for Omar Khadr Event held in Vancouver on January 11, the 8th anniversary of the opening of Guantanamo Bay … [Read more…]

Video: Torture and Canada-US Relations
February 12, 2009 — The Coalition for the Equal Treatment of Canadians Detained Abroad organized a speakers’ lunch on “Torture and Canada-US Relations” for press and parliamentarians on Parliament Hill, 12 February 2009. LRWC Director Maureen Webb was a featured speaker along with Amnesty … [Read more…]

Universal Periodic Review of Canada: Duty to Protect Omar Khadr
September 8, 2008 — UN Human Rights Council: Universal Periodic Review of Canada: Duty to Protect Omar Khadr by LRWC … [Read more…]

Omar Khadr: The Continuing Scandal of Illegal Detention and Torture
June 24, 2008 — Omar Khadr: The Continuing Scandal of Illegal Detention and Torture by Fara McLaren … [Read more…]

Omar Khadr: re: Correspondence of August 13, 2007
September 13, 2007 — Re: Omar Khadr, our correspondence of August 13, 2007 To: The Honourable Maxime Bernier, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs From: Gail Davidson , Executive Director, LRWC Date: 2007-09-13 The Prime Minister’s office has advised Lawyers Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) that, as the … [Read more…]

Omar Khadr, a child soldier detained without trial by US authorities since 2002
August 13, 2007 — Re: Omar Khadr, a child soldier detained without trial by US authorities since 2002 To: Right Hon. Stephen Harper, PC, MP, Prime Minister of Canada, and others From: Paul Copeland, Bencher and member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto; Gail Davidson, member of the Law Society of … [Read more…]