GUANTANAMO BAY AND Introduction

On July 27, 2002, a U.S. military unit by Osama bin Laden, was responsible Focus on patrol near Khost, in Afghanistan, for the terrorist attacks on New This News in Review story focuses on the stormed a bunker containing a band of York City and Washington, D.C., on case of Omar Khadr, Al Qaeda fighters operating in support September 11, 2001. Khadr’s father, a the young Canadian of Taliban insurgents fighting the NATO native of Egypt, moved the family to who has been held occupation of the country. In the ensuing Afghanistan in the 1990s, where he in the U.S. military firefight and bombing, three insurgents ran a charity organization for orphans. prison in Guantanamo and one American soldier were killed. As He strongly supported the extremist Bay, Cuba, since 2002 the dead and wounded Al Qaeda fighters Taliban regime then ruling the country and the controversy surrounding his were dragged from the bombed-out and was a personal friend of bin Laden. detention there and ruins of their compound, the U.S. troops He encouraged his four sons—Omar, possible release. were astonished to discover that one of Abdurahman, Abdullah and Abdul—to them, a 15-year-old boy, was a Canadian undergo training as jihadists, or Islamic who spoke perfect English. His name holy warriors, against the . Did you know . . . was Omar Khadr, and his subsequent Omar became separated from his father Omar Khadr would have most likely died detention as an alleged “unlawful after the fall of the Taliban during the on the battlefield enemy combatant” in the U.S. prison U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001 without the speedy in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has aroused and was part of an Al Qaeda cell when and effective medical considerable controversy during the six he was wounded and captured. Whether assistance of U.S. years of his forcible confinement in that or not he was a willing participant in forces. notorious institution. the group’s military actions against U.S. Khadr was accused of throwing the forces remains unclear. But despite his grenade that killed Sergeant Christopher young age, the United States regarded Speer, a Delta Force medic acting in a him as a terrorist deserving incarceration combat role in the assault on the bunker. in Camp Delta at Guantanamo and However, subsequent investigations eventual trial before a military tribunal, raised serious questions about Khadr’s where he would not be entitled to the responsibility for the soldier’s death. rights normally granted a person accused Severely wounded in the firefight, of a crime. Khadr was initially held in the U.S. In the six years since he was sent to military prison in Bagram, Afghanistan, Guantanamo, Khadr’s case has attracted where he claimed to have been badly considerable attention in his home mistreated. He was subsequently airlifted country and around the world. Many to Guantanamo Bay, where the U.S. had people have accused the United States of established a prison holding hundreds operating a torture centre in Guantanamo of prisoners suspected to be terrorists and flouting the norms of international waging war against U.S. forces in law, such as the Geneva Conventions Afghanistan and Iraq. Khadr alleges that guaranteeing the humane treatment of he was subjected to further abuse and prisoners of war. The United Nations, harsh techniques of interrogation at the the Red Cross, the Canadian and U.S. hands of his American captors there. Supreme Courts, and other respected Omar Khadr was born in Ottawa in institutions have repeatedly demanded 1986 into a family with strong links to that Guantanamo be closed. They also radical fundamentalist Islamic groups argue that the prisoners be released, such as Al Qaeda. This organization, led either to face charges in the United

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 29 States itself, or that they be repatriated come back to his homeland, what would Update to their respective homelands. Despite be done to prosecute or rehabilitate him? As this story was being prepared, U.S. a concerted campaign in Canada to Many of those who have come to know Secretary of State pressure the federal government to Omar Khadr in Guantanamo, including Hillary Clinton met intervene on Khadr’s behalf, Prime his U.S. and Canadian lawyers and even with Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Harper has been some of his guards there, regard him as Minister Lawrence reluctant to do so. basically a “good kid” who is potentially Cannon. Cannon On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama “salvageable” and not necessarily a hard- stated that he did not raise the Khadr was inaugurated as president of the core jihadist inclined to violence. But issue with Clinton and United States. Two days later, in one of some members of his family now living said, “I have indicated the first acts of his new administration, in Canada, including his mother Maha today the government he signed an executive order to close and his sister Zaynab, have not done his of Canada fully the Guantanamo prison (but not the base public image any favours through their respects the process itself) within one year. Throughout his widely publicized statements of support that the American successful campaign for the presidency, for Al Qaeda, the September 11 terrorist government has put forward, and we will Obama had denounced Guantanamo and attacks, and the killing of Sergeant Speer. await the outcome the abuse of those detained there as a The case of Omar Khadr has raised of that process, deep stain on the international reputation some important questions regarding before anything takes of the United States as a country that the definition of a “child soldier,” the place” (, purports to uphold the rule of law rights of prisoners of war, and the use February 25, 2009). and human rights. In the meantime, of harsh interrogation techniques and U.S. military officials announced mistreatment of “enemy combatants” that the pending trials of Khadr and in U.S. military prisons such as other detainees at Guantanamo were Guantanamo in Cuba, Bagram in indefinitely postponed. Afghanistan, and Abu Ghraib in Iraq. By late February 2009, it appeared that With the likelihood of imminent release after six long years, Omar Khadr’s days once Camp Delta is closed for good, as a prisoner in Guantanamo would soon Omar Khadr will face an uncertain be over. The question arising at this point future wherever he is finally relocated. was what would happen to him once he His story as an unwitting or willing was released? Would he be brought to participant in the “war on terror” appears the United States to face trial or would far from over. he be returned to Canada? And if he did To Consider 1. Why has the case of Omar Khadr aroused so much controversy in Canada and elsewhere?

2. Why have there been many demands that the United States close down its detention centre in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?

3. What important change in U.S. policy regarding the Guantanamo Bay prison was announced in early 2009?

4. What may happen to Omar Khadr if he is released from captivity in Guantanamo Bay?

5. In your opinion, what should be the fate of Omar Khadr? Why?

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 30 GUANTANAMO BAY AND OMAR KHADR Video Review

Watch the video and answer the following questions. Further Research To learn more about 1. a) How old was Omar Khadr when he was captured in Afghanistan? ______some of the groups b) Where has he spent the last six years? ______supporting Khadr’s return to Canada visit 2. What are the views of the following on Khadr as a terrorist? Amnesty International Canada at www. a) Sgt. Layne Morris ______amnesty.ca and the Canadian Council b) Lieut. William Kuebler ______on American Islamic 3. What prominent retired Canadian military leader has publicly called on the Relations at www. federal government to intervene with the U.S. on Khadr’s behalf? caircan.ca.

4. Why is there such a controversy over whether or not Omar Khadr threw the grenade that killed U.S. soldier Sgt. ?

5. Why was it so important for the U.S. to obtain a conviction on charges for at least one of the prisoners it had detained in Guantanamo?

6. What kinds of abuse and maltreatment does Khadr claim he has been subjected to at Guantanamo? What proof is there of these charges?

7. What statements have Khadr’s mother and sister made to the media that have provoked a negative public reaction in Canada against the family?

9. What is the opinion of Canadian and U.S. officials who have met with Khadr about his personality and likely terrorist sympathies?

10. Describe your personal view of Omar Khadr.

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 31 Did you know . . . For Discussion Canada was the first Watch the video again and form groups with your classmates to discuss the case country to sign the of Omar Khadr. Focus your discussion on one of the following questions: Optional Protocol to the Convention on • Can the detention of Omar Khadr in the Guantanamo Bay prison be justified the Rights of the Child under international law and/or humanitarian grounds? Explain. on the involvement • How solid is the case against Omar Khadr that he killed an American soldier in of children in armed Afghanistan? conflict (www.unhchr. • What evidence is there that Omar Khadr has been subjected to abuse and ch/html/menu2/6/ maltreatment while under detention in Guantanamo? protocolchild.htm). • Should Omar Khadr be considered a “child soldier” entitled to special consideration under international law? • Should Omar Khadr be permitted to return to Canada once he is released from Guantanamo prison following its closure?

Once you have finished your discussion, present your group’s response to the question to the rest of the class for further discussion. If possible, formulate a consensus among your classmates regarding their views of the Omar Khadr case and what should happen to him once he is released from Guantanamo.

Extension You might consider sharing your views with your local Member of Parliament and even consider inviting your MP to speak at a special school or class session.

Notes:

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 32 GUANTANAMO BAY AND OMAR KHADR A History of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

On January 20, 2002, the first group of not entitled to the rights usually accorded Did you know . . . hooded and shackled prisoners in the soldiers captured in combat. And instead The motto of Joint Task Force “war on terror” arrived at the U.S. Naval of bringing these prisoners back to Guantanamo, which Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after a the United States itself to face trial, operates the prison 20-hour flight from Afghanistan. In the Bush ordered that they be indefinitely in Guantanamo, is aftermath of the September 11, 2001, incarcerated in the Guantanamo Bay “Honor Bound to terrorist attacks on New York City and Naval Base, nicknamed “Gitmo,” located Defend Freedom.” Washington, D.C., American forces on the southeastern tip of the island of had invaded Afghanistan. They did so Cuba. Did you know . . . because the country’s radical Islamic Although Cuba’s communist Fidel Castro has fundamentalist government, the Taliban, government, then led by Fidel Castro, kept each of the had permitted Osama bin Laden and had no involvement with any terrorist Guantanamo “rental his Al Qaeda organization, the terrorist organization, and had in fact condemned cheques” in a desk group responsible for the attacks, to use the attacks of 9/11, it soon found itself in his office. None Afghanistan as a base of operations. included in the “axis of evil,” a group of of them have been Within days of the invasion, the Taliban “rogue states” that Bush alleged to be a cashed. were driven from power in the capital threat to the security of the United States. city of Kabul. Remnants of the group, Cuba did not support the use of the base along with some Al Qaeda cells, took to as a holding pen for terrorist captives but the hills of that remote and forbidding could do nothing but protest against the country to begin a guerrilla war against treatment these prisoners were receiving U.S. and later NATO forces, including there. Guantanamo Bay had been a U.S. Canadians. This conflict continues to naval installation since 1898, after the rage many years later and shows no United States intervened on behalf of signs of ending soon. Any prisoners Cuban rebels fighting for independence taken in the fighting who were believed from Spain. U.S. military and naval to have links to terrorist actions such as forces helped tip the balance in favour of 9/11 were to be detained and eventually the rebels, forcing Spain to withdraw. In sent to Guantanamo. After the United return for their assistance, the Americans States invaded Iraq in March 2003, even insisted that the new Cuban government more prisoners in the expanding “war grant them a number of concessions, on terror” fell into U.S. hands and found including the perpetual lease of the themselves on their way to the prison in strategic naval facility, permitting them Cuba. to exercise control over the Caribbean. Shortly after the events of 9/11, U.S. The original lease agreement required President George W. Bush declared a the U.S. to pay Cuba $4 000 per year “war on international terrorism” and for the use of the base. However, since stated that his country’s military forces the 1959 Cuban revolution, the Castro would not be bound by the normal rules regime has refused to accept payment of war in their campaign against this and has called for its removal from the hated foe. Any Al Qaeda or Taliban country’s sovereign territory. fighters who fell into U.S. hands would During the period of the Cold War of not be regarded as legitimate prisoners of the 1960s to the fall of the Soviet Union war, but instead were to be classified as in 1991, Castro charged that the base “unlawful enemy combatants,” who were was “a dagger pointed at the heart” of

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 33 his country and the probable launching ruled that the military tribunal they were Archives pad for a full-scale U.S. invasion of to face was unconstitutional because it To learn more about the Cuban Missile Cuba to oust him. On two occasions— did not grant the defendants the same Crisis visit the CBC the abortive Bay of Pigs invasion of rights to which they would be entitled in Digital Archives at 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis of a U.S. courtroom. www.cbc.ca/archives 1962—the base was the epicentre of Shortly afterward, five British and explore the audio- Cuban-American conflict. On the second prisoners were released and sent back visual files “The Cuban occasion, it came very close to triggering to the United Kingdom, where they Missile Crisis” and a full-scale nuclear war between the U.S. were immediately charged under that “Looking back at the Cuban crisis.” and the former Soviet Union, Cuba’s country’s Anti-Terrorism Act. However, main ally at the time. After the end of their cases were later dismissed for lack the Cold War, the base’s strategic and of solid evidence against them. Three Did you know . . . military importance declined, and it of these individuals testified under oath A group of was a very sleepy place when the first that they had suffered abuse while under Guantanamo inmates prisoners of the “war on terror” arrived detention at Guantanamo. In a detailed were returned to Saudi Arabia for a re- there after the events of 9/11. report prepared by their lawyers, they education program. The first facility to house alleged alleged that they were repeatedly beaten, However, all of these terrorist suspects, called Camp X-Ray, injected with drugs, deprived of sleep, people returned to was constructed as an open-air, high- and subjected to frequent body-cavity lives as terrorists. security prison where the inmates could searches, which resulted in sexual and be on view at all times. It had a tin roof religious humiliation. but no walls. Pictures of the orange- In May 2005 Newsweek reported suited prisoners, often held in foot that U.S. military interrogators at shackles and exposed to the burning Guantanamo were desecrating the sun and hot winds, aroused worldwide Qur’an, the Islamic holy book, in order condemnation. In April 2002, a more to force inmates to talk, by flushing permanent installation, Camp Delta, it down the toilet. This story touched was built to house the rapidly increasing off considerable protest across the prison population, up to a maximum Muslim world, leading to 17 deaths in of 2 000 inmates. The cells in Camp Afghanistan alone. Although the story Delta were fully enclosed, with their was later retracted, there were other own bathrooms and running water. By claims that guards had splashed urine April 2005, according to a U.S. State on a prisoner and his Qur’an and had Department report, there were 520 written obscenities on another. Omar prisoners from over 40 countries being Khadr, the young Canadian still being detained at Guantanamo. A total of 232 held at Guantanamo, has reported similar individuals previously held there had kinds of abuse to his Canadian lawyer left by then, either transferred to the and other officials from this country who United States or returned to their home have visited him there. countries. Along with Abu Ghraib prison There have been numerous reports in Iraq, the U.S. detention centre in of prisoners attempting suicide because Guantanamo Bay will long remain a of the harsh and stressful conditions at controversial symbol of the methods the Guantanamo. In early 2004, the first two Bush administration chose to deal with detainees, from Yemen and Sudan, were individuals it captured during the “war placed on trial for conspiracy to commit on terror.” The events of September 11, war crimes. However, their trials were 2001, and the subsequent U.S. military suspended after the U.S. Supreme Court operations in Afghanistan and Iraq

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 34 altered the perceptions of many people States in 2008, committed themselves Did you know . . . regarding the treatment of alleged to closing Camp Delta, acknowledging One detainee (a former British terrorists, including people such as Omar the great damage to the reputation resident) has already Khadr. Initially, there was little sympathy of the United States the facility had been released from for them, especially in the United caused all over the world. Whatever the Guantanamo by the States. But as reports of abuse and even final resolution of the “war on terror,” Obama administration torture began to surface, in some cases facilities such as Guantanamo will be a (“Guantanamo documented with graphic eyewitness reminder that democratic governments Bay history,” CBC accounts or even photographs, public can sometimes lose sight of their basic News In Depth, www.cbc.ca/world/ opinion began to turn. Both Barack principles, such as the upholding of story/2009/01/22/f- Obama and John McCain, the two main human rights and the decent treatment of gitmo.html). candidates for president of the United prisoners of war.

Analysis 1. Why did the United States decide to detain alleged terrorists in Guantanamo and not in the U.S. itself?

2. What role did the Guantanamo base play in the period of U.S.-Cuban tensions that marked the Cold War era?

3. Why has Guantanamo become such an international embarrassment for the U.S. and the former Bush administration?

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 35 GUANTANAMO BAY AND OMAR KHADR Two Views of the Omar Khadr Case

The case of Omar Khadr, the only techniques, if not outright torture, during Canadian citizen under detention in the his detention at Guantanamo. He points U.S. military prison in Guantanamo to the fact that both the Canadian and Bay, Cuba, has aroused considerable U.S. Supreme Courts have stated that the interest and controversy in this country. conditions under which Khadr is being There have been strong demands for his held are a “clear violation of fundamental release and for the federal government to human rights protected by international intervene with U.S. authorities to ensure law.” He praises Obama for making this happens. On the other hand, there are the closing of the centre one of the key those who regard Khadr and his family as promises in his successful campaign, and terrorists who have abused the hospitality for acting quickly after taking office to of Canada to promote their extremist suspend the military tribunals that would views, and therefore do not deserve any eventually put Khadr and other detainees protection or assistance from Ottawa. on trial. More importantly, he regards Here are two very different viewpoints Obama’s decision to close the detention on the Khadr case. centre for good as the closing of a “dark Bob Rae, a Toronto MP, is the Liberal chapter” in U.S. history. Party’s critic for foreign affairs. He has Rae cannot fathom why Prime Minister pressured the government of Prime Harper remains the only world leader who Minister Stephen Harper to act on continues to defend Guantanamo Bay. As the Khadr case and demand that U.S. a signatory to the international agreement authorities release him from captivity. on the use of children as soldiers, Now that U.S. President Barack Obama forbidding any military faction, whether has pledged to close down Guantanamo, or not it is a formal army, from enlisting Rae believes that this has “forced fighters under the age of 18, Canada has Harper’s hand.” Previously, whenever committed itself to the rehabilitation and Rae or other opposition MPs demanded reintegration of people like Omar Khadr that the government move on the Khadr into Canadian society. Rae believes case, they were always met with rejection that Harper is “missing the boat” on the and the statement that the U.S. must have Khadr case and not taking into account legitimate reasons for detaining the young the fundamental changes in U.S. foreign man. But after Obama’s announcement, policy that have been initiated by the Defence Minister Peter MacKay indicated Obama administration, in particular that the government was “reassessing” its position on dealing with suspected its position on the Khadr case. But, at terrorists. He thinks that Harper should the same time, Harper continued to insist begin negotiations with the United States that Khadr was not a child soldier, even for Khadr’s release and return to Canada, though he was only 15 years old when arguing that “the legal and moral reasons he was captured. In Harper’s view, this to do so have always been compelling. was because Khadr was not fighting for a There is now a political imperative to get “regular army,” but instead for a military it done—and quickly.” group that the U.S. defines as terrorists. Source: “Harper should follow Obama’s Rae believes that there is solid evidence lead on Gitmo,” National Post, January that Khadr has been subjected to harsh 29, 2009, http://bobrae/ca/en/print/138 treatment and coercive interrogation

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 36 Christie Blatchford is a journalist who pointing to the post-September 11, 2001, Did you know . . . has extensively covered the Canadian attitudes of many Americans, especially The leaders of all opposition parties in military campaign in Afghanistan, of the military jailers in Guantanamo, Parliament have called which she is a strong supporter. She has who would have been expected to have upon Harper and also written columns expressing support little sympathy for people they held Obama to immediately for former U.S. president George W. responsible for the attacks on American return Omar Khadr to Bush’s “war on terror.” For this reason, soil and the loss of life they caused. Canada. she has little sympathy for alleged She even quotes Michael Ignatieff, the terrorist Omar Khadr, his extremist federal Leader of the Opposition, who family, or those in Canada who have wrote a book a few years ago in which called on the federal government to he stated that Western governments intervene on Khadr’s behalf. She is were entitled to use methods that might especially critical of the Toronto church otherwise be considered “evil” in their group that has indicated its willingness to fight against international terrorism. assist in Khadr’s resettlement in Canada In all of the controversy surrounding following his release from incarceration. the Khadr case, Blatchford believes that Although she is willing to concede that the central, often overlooked fact is that there may be some doubt about Khadr’s he was accused of killing a U.S. soldier. role in the killing of Sgt. Christopher She admits that “maybe, Khadr, 15 at Speer during the 2002 firefight in which the time he was arrested . . . didn’t throw he was captured, she still regards him as the grenade. Maybe he’s just a poor a “child terrorist,” if not a “child soldier” boy, now 22, who needs a little TLC.” strictly speaking. She does not want him However, it should not follow from this returned to Canada, especially if he were that Omar Khadr should be returned to be allowed to return to what she refers to Canada where his misguided band to as the “poisonous maternal bosom” of supporters can throw him a “pretty of his mother and sister, both of whom party.” Instead, she argues, Omar Khadr have publicly stated their support for should face trial in the United States, international terrorism and the killing of which she considers to be, “a civilized American troops. country, where the rule of law matters.” Blatchford also accepts the fact that She believes that it would be a great evil at least some of the alleged terrorists to bring Omar Khadr back to Canada incarcerated at Guantanamo may have just because people are sick and tired of been abused or subjected to harsh Guantanamo Bay and have sympathy for methods of questioning. But she seeks to him because he is young and has suffered minimize this by arguing that the extent lengthy confinement and likely abuse. of the mistreatment is rather small, Source: “As Gitmo closes, what becomes considering the total number of detainees of that ‘wounded young boy’?” The who have passed through the prison Globe and Mail, February 14, 2009, since it opened in 2002. She also tries to www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/ explain, if not justify, these actions by LAC.20090214.BLATCH14/TPStory/TPC Activity 1. Read the passages above and summarize in your own words the arguments both authors make to advance their viewpoints on whether or not Omar Khadr should be released from detention in Guantanamo Bay and returned to Canada.

2. Form groups to discuss the passages above. Which of them do you agree with, and why? Explain your position to the rest of the class.

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 37 GUANTANAMO BAY AND OMAR KHADR What Next for Omar Khadr?

Ever since he was captured by the U.S. capture, he is definitely a terrorist, Did you know . . . military and sent to Guantanamo, Omar and Canada should think twice before Omar Khadr’s six years in custody at Khadr has been the focus of an intense permitting him to return here. Guantanamo is a campaign in Canada to obtain his release One big question relates to the kind longer sentence than on humanitarian grounds. However, the of treatment Khadr will receive after what he would serve governments of prime ministers Jean his arrival in this country. Already in Canada for murder Chrétien, Paul Martin, and Stephen a church group in Toronto that has as a young offender. Harper have all shown reluctance to taken up his cause has approached a challenge the U.S. position that Khadr number of religious and psychological is an “unlawful enemy combatant” in specialists who have indicated their the “war on terror” who is alleged to willingness to help him. Hamid Slimi, have killed an American soldier with a a Muslim cleric and the president of grenade. Khadr’s supporters, including the Canadian Council of Imams (www. Liberal Senator and former military canadiancouncilofimams.com), has stated officer Roméo Dallaire, have strongly that “a lot of healing has to be done and criticized the government’s inaction on a group of people are willing to help” intervening on Khadr’s behalf, since he in Khadr’s rehabilitation. As someone was only 15 years old at the time the who has been accused of committing events in question took place and was a terrorist act, Khadr would initially thus a “child soldier” under the definition have to face some kind of preventative of international law. But the statements detention upon his return to Canada, to of some members of Khadr’s own family determine whether or not he really poses living in Canada, including his mother a security threat to this country. Professor and sister, supporting radical Islamic Anthony Doob of York University, a terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda, have legal expert in terrorism, thinks that infuriated many Canadians and hardened Khadr could be subjected to strict limits their position that the government should on his whereabouts, including being show the young man no special favour. forbidden to associate with people Now that new U.S. President, Barack believed to harbour extremist views. This Obama, has stated his intention to close could conceivably include members of down the Guantanamo Bay prison by the his own family living in Canada, such as end of 2009, the question is: What does his mother Maha and his sister Zaynab. the future hold for Omar Khadr and the One procedure that Khadr would other inmates still under detention there? almost certainly have to undergo would According to Lieut. William Kuebler, be a thorough psychological assessment the military lawyer who has been acting to find out if he really is someone on Khadr’s behalf, Khadr is not a hard- with violent terrorist tendencies. Dr. core radical jihadist. He believes that Howard Barbaree, of the Centre for Khadr is a confused young man who can Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) probably be rehabilitated and returned to in Toronto, is prepared to conduct such normal life after he reaches Canada. But an assessment on Omar Khadr, although in the mind of Sgt. Layne Morris, the he admits that this would be a precedent- U.S. soldier who was blinded in one eye setting event, since no Canadian has during the firefight that led to Khadr’s previously been subjected to this kind of

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 38 test. While undergoing this assessment, Religious rehabilitation will also have Khadr would be held in a secure forensic to be part of Omar Khadr’s rehabilitation triage unit, where the chances of escape program. Thomas Quiggin, an expert are next to zero. He would not be on Islamic extremist groups, thinks that guarded, as he was at Guantanamo, but Khadr will need to be “deprogrammed” all his movements would be monitored to help him to turn his back on his radical by television cameras. This procedure jihadist past. Similar therapies have been would be designed not only to prevent used to rehabilitate former members of Khadr from escaping, but also to ensure religious cults who have been subjected his own safety, should he show any to brainwashing in the past. Quiggin suicidal or self-destructive tendencies thinks that Khadr is an excellent while undergoing what are likely to be candidate for such a program because very intense psychological examinations. he is still young and has not spent his Kuebler believes it is likely that entire life in an environment where any such assessment of Omar Khadr Islamic terrorism is promoted, despite will reveal that he was subjected to his family’s influence and his experience serious abuse, and possible torture, in jihadist youth training camps. Hamid while incarcerated at Guantanamo. Slimi is prepared to undertake this part He was chained to the prison floor for of Khadr’s rehabilitation, by pointing out lengthy periods of time in extremely to him that nowhere in the Qur’an does it uncomfortable “stress positions,” and state that it is permissible to kill innocent after urinating on himself was left to lie non-believers, or that those who do so in his own urine for days. Kuebler thinks will gain immediate entry to heaven. that after the psychological assessment, Slimi is aware that members of Khadr’s there will also have to be a lengthy family, especially his mother and sister, training in basic life skills that will make have publicly expressed extremist views, up for the six years that Omar Khadr and if they still hold them, they might try has lost while under detention. This to influence him to embrace them again. will of necessity include preventative But he does not think it is practicable measures that will guarantee that he does to deny the young man any contact not associate with people who might with them, especially after such a long influence him to resume his terrorist absence. sympathies or activities. Source: “Welcome back Omar Khadr,” CBC, November 11, 2008

Inquiry 1. Why is there such a conflict of opinion over whether or not Omar Khadr should be permitted to return to Canada after his eventual release from prison in Guantanamo?

2. What steps would have to be taken to ensure that Khadr is not a security risk and that he will be able to return to normal life once he is back in Canada?

3. How would you evaluate the likelihood of a successful rehabilitation for Omar Khadr if he is allowed to return to Canada?

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 39 GUANTANAMO BAY AND OMAR KHADR Activity: Debating the Return of Omar Khadr

As a class, debate the following resolution: Further Research The following sources “Resolved that the federal government should permit Omar Khadr to return to might be consulted Canada and be rehabilitated into Canadian society as soon as possible.” while preparing for the debate. Two small teams should be selected: one to present the case for the affirmative “The U.S. vs. Omar (supporting the resolution) and one for the negative (opposing the resolution). Khadr,” www.cbc. Each team should prepare its case using information obtained from the video ca/documentaries/ and the other sources referred to in this News in Review resource guide. Those doczone/2008/ not assigned to a team should complete independent research so that they can omarkadr/, two recent understand and analyze the arguments raised in the debate. books on Omar Khadr and Guantanamo: A formal in-class debate should consist of the following: Michelle Sheppard’s Guantanamo’s Child 1. Each side presents its opening position supporting or opposing the and Gordon Cucullu’s resolution. Inside Gitmo. 2. Each side is given time to rebut the statements made by its opponent in the opening positions.

3. Each side presents a closing statement summarizing its arguments.

Once both teams in the debate have made their presentations, ask the class for its response, questions, or feedback. Decide which team has won the debate through a class vote.

Organizer: Should Omar Khadr Be Returned to Canada?

Affirmative Arguments Negative Arguments

CBC News in Review • March 2009 • Page 40