Friday, July 7, 2017

Canadian Government Formally Apologizes To Omar Khadr And Compensates Him With $10.5 Million







CBC: Government formally apologizes to Omar Khadr, as Andrew Scheer condemns 'disgusting' payout

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee received $10.5M Wednesday, sources tell CBC News

The federal government has formally apologized to former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Omar Khadr, confirming Friday a financial settlement has been reached to end ongoing legal action.

"On behalf of the government of Canada, we wish to apologize to Mr. Khadr for any role Canadian officials may have played in relation to his ordeal abroad and any resulting harm," Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a joint statement released to reporters Friday.

Read more ....

Update #1: Ottawa pays out $10.5-million to Khadr amid potential legal battle (Globe and Mail)
Update #2: Canada 'paid $8m' to Omar Khadr, ex-Guantanamo detainee (BBC)
Update #3: Omar Khadr receives formal apology (CTV)

WNU Editor: Typical of the Liberal Party of Canada .... keep the deal secret, and when the news is leaked ....rush like hell to punch out a $10.5 million check so that Omar Khadr's victims cannot use the same courts that Omar Khadr and his lawyers have used to demand justice and compensation .... The Victims Of Former Guantanamo Bay Prisoner Omar Khadr's Crimes Are Petitioning The Courts For His $10.5 Million Canadian Government Pay-off (July 5, 2017). Justice for Omar Khadr .... the Canadian government and the courts are saying yes ....and they and Omar Khadr's supporters are satisfied that this case is now closed. For the victims of Omar Khadr .... this is not justice .... for them this is justice denied. And while I understand that Omar Khadr wishes to move on .... he cannot .... especially after his victims have been treated this way .... this week.

This blog has a huge audience in Canada (especially among those who have served and/or are serving), and since the Omar Khadr deal was leaked earlier this week the emails that I have received from these individuals has been an eye-opening experience to read (its about 35 emails). What I find fascinating is that there is no anger directed at Omar Khadr .... none .... most recognise him for who he is/was  .... a child soldier who was swept up by a family/father who was devoted to Osama Bin Laden and his views of waging Jihad and war .... and who is now someone who will need therapy and treatment for (probably) a lifetime. The anger (and there is a lot of it) is actually directed at the Canadian government .... and the incredible generosity that they have shown towards Omar Khadr while ignoring the incredibly difficult medical and financial pain that many Canadian soldiers who have been wounded fighting the same people that Omar Khadr fought for are now enduring. There is no argument that we as Canadians must take care of Omar Khadr .... but $10.5 million and an apology .... to say that many of these soldiers feel abandoned .... by their own government and Prime Minister .... is an understatement. Being a fair and  just country is what Canada is all about .... but in this case .... fairness and being just is focused on one person .... while deliberately ignoring or blocking others who have an even greater case. Here is an easy prediction .... there is going to be a heavy political cost for the Liberals on this one ... and this stain is going to last a long time for them.

3 comments:

D.Plowman said...

Not really been following this cause, well.. its Canadian news, but, has he even apologized to the victims?

War News Updates Editor said...

I know of only one time via a public statement he made a few years back. I remember it because the families were not convinced.

LoneWolf Media said...

Ive spoken to the widow of Christopher Seel. I've implored that she go after his money. I have no sympathy for the man. Hes even lucky he got out of Guantanomo Bay.