Sigh I know some of my friends that serve or have served in the Canadian/US Forces will not be happy with me but when it comes to Omar Khadr the way I look at it is, he should never have been charged with murder since he was a child soldier. We don’t prosecute the kids who are forced or coerced to fight in other conflicts and Khadr was only 15 years old when it’s alleged that he threw a grenade that killed a US soldier.
Just because this time a child soldier is fighting against us (the western world) it doesn’t change the fact that no other child solder has ever been prosecuted for their actions.
He has been prosecuted by the Bush and Obama administrations, interrogated by Canadian intelligence agents while the Liberals were in power, vilified by the Conservative government and defended as a child soldier by prominent figures such as retired Lt.-Gen. Romeo Dallaire and peace activist Desmond Tutu.
Source: The Star
Mr. Khadr is now an adult and responsible for his actions, should he do something stupid now then yes throw everything at him but it’s not right to judge him on things he did in a battle zone when he was a youngster. I’m sure I’ll be flamed for this one but I believe the rule of law applies evenly to everyone instead of more so to others in certain situations.
Dear Sir,
Once a killer always a killer, that is a fact. That stain cannot be erased from one’s soul. You can argue that he was a “child soldier” but I doubt that is very comforting to the family and friends of the person he killed.
Is it ironic that Omar Khadr is seeking to enjoy the rights and freedoms that such a short while ago he sought to attack. Does he have no shame or remorse for taking up arms against the very citizens that he now wants to live among?
Given that he was “turned” once in the past how do we know that he will not do the same again? Is it because he said he wouldn’t? Would you welcome him to be your neighbour and interact with your family?
Assuming that he has indeed seen the error of his ways what is he going to do to make up for the crimes that he committed and the life that he took?
Omar Khadr is a wild card and always will be until he can demonstrate otherwise. You may trust him if you wish but remember that trust is earned, not awarded like a court case judgement.
Hi John.
Thank you for your reply and while I disagree with your point of view, I do thank you for expressing it.
The fact of the matter is Omar Khadr was a child soldier whether you or anyone else likes it or not (http://www.child-soldiers.org/international_standards.php) and his case was singled out because he fought against the west. We may never know his thoughts on the matter at the time (which were irrelevant) but international law is clear his “case” was a mockery of the justice system. If he received a fair trial, it would have had damning political consequences for the US. If he were a regular soldier in an organized military, charges of killing someone else in an act of war would not have been brought up against him either, instead after being caught he’d simply be a POW.
Al Qaeda didn’t attack the US on Sept 11th 2001 because the group was mad at the West’s rights and freedoms, rather if you actually listened they specifically list their qualms. To name a few… The West’s continual support for Israel no matter what it does, the support for oppressive regimes (promoting democracy my ass) and the presence of non muslims in the holy land. The track record of Western intervention around the world is a train wreck and it’s been creating its own enemies since WW2.
Given Omar Khadr’s past, I would still welcome him into my neighborhood yes and if after my interactions with him first if I feel he’s a good man then I would have no problems with him interacting with my family. According to the justice system we have in place, he’s paid his dues to society for his actions and now is on bail with strict conditions. Assuming the bail period goes well and is granted freedom, then he deserves to be left alone to live out his life as he sees fit just like any other Canadian. This is the system of justice that we have in Canada and it should be applied equally to everyone.
Please keep in mind I never said I trusted him, I don’t trust any stranger but if the courts says he’s paid his price then I have no problems with him living out the rest of his life the way he sees it. I’m sure the police force and intelligence community will be watching him like a hawk and if he does something stupid then it’s something to be addressed at that time.
I believe people can be rehabilitated and I’m hoping we never hear anything further about Mr. Khadr.
The cycle of violence must be broken. There is no easy way to do this and any option incurs some degree of risk. Perhaps in this case we must extend a bit of trust and hope for a better future.
Having said that I wonder how Mr. Omar Khadr will support himself in the future and be a productive member of Canadian society. I guess time will tell.
By the way Colin this is a very interesting and diverse blog! Now that I disocvered it I will have to visit it more often 🙂
Canada is a nation ruled by laws. If we give into our emotions and ignore these laws then those who seek to destroy our way of life has won. Mr. Khadr is a Canadian citizen and as such he deserves all the rights he is entitled to under the law. We may not like this, or think that it is the right thing to do, but it is the “Canadian Way”.
Shame on Mr. Khadr is all I can say.
How can he sleep at night knowing the violence that he committed. He was free to choose a path in life and yet he embraced violence as his calling.
He blamed that on the follies of youth. What will be his next excuse!
I happened upon this post by random chance … it is always difficult to balance the rights & freedoms of a democracy with the needs for self-protection. It is never an easy balance to achieve. Bravo to your country for applying the law as difficult as it maybe in this case.
Wow I rarely get any comments on my blog but it looks like this post stirred up some interest.
Jane I agree completely, the West cannot kill it’s way out of this issue and there simply isn’t a quick fix. I doubt any one person or group has a solution, this will probably be a multi generational issue that will need social political & economic solutions for.
Ralph you’re correct the law and its application is what is important and it has to be fair.
Sandy thank you for your post, while I do not share your opinion I am glad to have it. Hopefully we’ll hear nothing of Mr. Khadr again but if we do, the authorities have every right to prosecute him to the fullest.
Thanks Internet-User, Canada is far from perfect but the justice system doesn’t seem too corrupted (yet) and I pray it never does.