Guy Joubert

Asked to comment on yesterday’s Federal Court of Appeal ruling, which upheld an order that the federal government ask the United States to return Omar Khadr to Canada, CBA President Guy Joubert urged the government to refrain from appealing the decision before the Supreme Court of Canada. “We’re very pleased with the decision,” Joubert said. “We urge the Canadian government to ask for the repatriation of Omar Khadr immediately.”

In a 2-1 ruling, the appeal court held that Canadian officials violated section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as Canada’s international obligations by failing to protect Khadr’s rights when they questioned him to obtain information despite knowing that Khadr had been mistreated while in custody at Guantanamo Bay. The reasons for the decision are available online.