Legal Commentary

Omar Khadr's Guantanamo Hearing Today

By Jeralyn

Omar Khadr, the Canadian captured as a teen on the battlefield in Afghanistan, has a hearing today in his military commissions proceeding at Guantanamo.

Most human rights and legal experts say the evidence against Khadr seems too weak to be able to hold up in a US civil court or an ordinary military tribunal.

Khadr could then become the first beneficiary of the closing of the Guantanamo detention facility.

The ACLU is monitoring from Gitmo. [More...]

Now 22, Khadr was 15 when he was captured by U.S. forces in Afghanistan for allegedly throwing a grenade that killed a U.S. soldier. In a signed, nine-page affidavit, Khadr charged that he was repeatedly threatened with rape during interrogations while held both in Afghanistan and at Guantánamo Bay. Khadr’s trial has raised serious concerns about its fairness, including the use of testimony his attorneys say was coerced through torture.

Tainted by political interference, the Guantánamo military commission proceedings have been marred by ethical and legal problems from day one. Among other things, the proceedings allow the admission of secret evidence, hearsay and evidence obtained through torture. The Bush administration has admitted that at least three detainees in its custody have been subjected to waterboarding.

It's way past time for Omar, a child of Jihad, to be sent home to Canada. Close Gitmo.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on December 12, 2008 (boomark / email).