Tornado Alley (PROG)

[F6]

Maher Arar's Letelier-Moffitt Award Acceptance

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3403070853610915613

7 min 45 sec - Oct 18, 2006
Institute for Policy Studies
http://www.ips-dc.org

Maher Arar's award acceptance (shown at the National Press Club for Institute for Policy Studies' 30th Annual Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights [Award Ceremony]) describes his extradition and torture in Syria at the discretion of the U.S. government. Delivered by video from Canada, as U.S. officials denied his entry to the country.

Maher Arar has taken bold actions to demand justice for the suffering he endured as a victim of the U.S. policy known as “extraordinary rendition.” A Canadian citizen, Arar was detained by U.S. officials in 2002, accused of terrorist links, and handed over to Syrian authorities renowned for torture. On September 18, 2006, a Canadian government commission confirmed that Arar had been brutally tortured during his nearly year-long imprisonment in Syria and declared him innocent of any terrorist ties. The report urges the Canadian government to formally protest the U.S. government’s handling of the case. Arar is working with the Center for Constitutional Rights to appeal a case against the U.S. government that was dismissed on national security grounds. He will accept his award via video because he is still barred from entry into the United States.

Maher Arar shared this 2006 Letelier-Moffitt International Award with the Center for Constitutional Rights, fighting the legal battle on behalf of Mr. Arar.