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Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing

By Jeralyn, Section Terror Detainees
Posted on Thu Mar 23, 2006 at 05:17:39 PM EST
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Maher Arar, the Canadian who was kidnapped by U.S. authorities at JFK and flown to Rome, Italy and then Syria and Jordan via extraordinary rendition where he alleges he was tortured during his nine months of captivity, testified today at a hearing of the European Parliament, held by the Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transport and illegal detention of prisoners.

Mr. Arar told the EU committee that FBI agents took his passport, put him in chains on both his wrists and ankles and asked him to voluntarily to go to Syria. He refused. After several days of interrogation in New York, he said he was driven to New Jersey and put on a private jet that stopped over in Rome before landing in Amman. "I overheard them saying they belonged to a special removal unit," he said.

Mr. Arar said he could see on the airport's in-flight screen showing the trajectory of the flight that it landed in Rome. He said he overheard officials discussing the plane's next stop in Athens. He said the plane refuelled in Rome and tall person in a civilian suit guarded it on the tarmac. Once in Syria, Mr. Arar said, he was detained in a small cell with no light and was beaten and tortured. He said he also heard other people being tortured.

A U.S. court dismissed his civil lawsuit last month, but Arar says he will appeal and not be silenced. A summary of his testimony appears on the E.U.'s website here.

U.S. Rep. Edward Markey has introduced the Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act, H.R. 952 (text here, pdf) which would put an end to extraordinary rendition to countries known to torture prisoners.

His website has links to previous correspondence he has had with the Department of State on the Arar issue

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    Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing | 24 comments (24 topical)
    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#1)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Mar 23, 2006 at 06:38:58 PM EST
    Well he was doing good until he started BSing...
    Mr. Arar said he could see on the airport's in-flight screen showing the trajectory of the flight that it landed in Rome.
    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 23, 2006 at 07:22:44 PM EST
    A side issue- important, although not as important as what happened to Mr. Arar, is the meaning of citizenship. As I noted 2 weeks ago (on the Amnesty Int'l blog ad buy)... This case strongly implies that the US gov't thinks naturalized citizens aren't really citizens. Arar is a Canadian citizen. He isn't a dual citizen except in the eyes of totalitarian "never let you go" Syrians. But the US sent him to Syria through denying his Canadian citizenship. This isn't a mere case of the US warning or knowing that 'forced dual' (is there a term for this?) citizens should avoid a country that won't accept the changed citizenship. For example, a forced-dual citizen could get drafted because of the unwanted / rejected citizenship. No. Here the U.S. is forcing citizens to be dual citizens against their stated choice. The U.S. gov't (and the commenters at the Amnesty Int'l ad sites) should detail their thoughts on naturalization. Was Arar not Canadian? If not, why not? If Canada deported a naturalized U.S. citizen to, say, North Korea or Iran based on their country of birth, not on their chosen citizenship, would the U.S. (and commenters) accept this? Are naturalized citizens truely citizens, in their view? And if you think that this only applies to adults or teenagers- adopted children and the children of refugees also fall into this category. Their passports- just like Arar's - will list their birth countries.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 23, 2006 at 07:54:15 PM EST
    Well he was doing good until he started BSing...
    The inconsistency is far more likely the journalist's mistake than Arar's.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 01:05:05 AM EST
    allen that's PPJ's fault for relying on the so-called MSM :>)

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#5)
    by theologicus on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 05:13:44 AM EST
    Extraordinary rendition is a chilling policy with far-reacching authoritarian implications. I suppose that's obvious. But if so, it's equally obvious that there should be a public outcry against it. Concerned citizens and people of conscience need to mobilize while there is still time. National Religious Campaign Against Torture

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#6)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 07:35:47 AM EST
    kathryn from Sunnyvale - Actually the US tried to get Canada to take him. They refused. Link
    On October 4 Arar receives a visit from Canadian consul Maureen Girvan. Arar shows
    July 6, 2004: A report released at the inquiry confirms the RCMP were in contact with U.S. authorities from Arar's arrest in New York to his deportation to Syria. The RCMP says none of the communications were improper or inaccurate, but some may not have been authorized. Arar's lawyer says the documents show there were multiple exchanges between Canadian and U.S. authorities. RCMP deputy commissioner Garry Loeppky testifies that some of the information the RCMP passed to the U.S. came from another unnamed agency in Canada. Loeppky also says the Mounties do not have an agreement to share information with Syria.
    Link Dark Avenger & allen: The MSM's lack of knowledge about almost everything that isn't taught in Journalism school is legendary. So for the "airport's in flight screem" I just put that down as sloppiness. They probably meant "aircrft's inflight screen." Problem is, there is no such thing on small aircraft. If Atar meant "radar" things get even more confusing. First, the radar screen is in the cockpit, and while it is highly doubtful he could have even seen it, I'll grant the possibility that he might have got a glance at it. But he could not have deduced anything. Et al - The Left continues to play this story up, and it appears that Arar was caught in a web, but going back to that point in time, we find that his name was on a "list," probably because of the lease he signed with a person of interest (terror) by the RMCP, and his cousin's problems in Syria. But his problem wasn't dual citizenship. Or the US' not recognizing it. His problem was that Canada rolled over on him after the US made some inital mistakes. The information clearly shows that. So, it shouldn't have happened. But... throwing in half cocked comments in an attempt to be dramatic or make the story more believable just does the opposite.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 07:58:26 AM EST
    When did we let the conservatives get ahold of the English language? "Extraordinary rendition?" Isn't this just plain ole "kidnap and torture?" If this man's claims are true I am mortified by this crowd of bullies in power. I guess we no longer have a Bill of Rights; we now have a "Bill of Recommendations!" "It would indeed be ironic if, in the name of national defence, we would sanction the subversion of one of those liberties which make the defence of our nation worthwhile." -Earl Warren

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 08:01:22 AM EST
    The US made more than a few "initial mistakes", Jim. That's why none of this stuff ever pans out for them. Essentially, it boils down to the fact that this administration and their supporters are lyin' scum.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#9)
    by Sailor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 09:07:12 AM EST
    canada didn't kidnap him and send him to a country known for torture that then, surprise! tortured him. Much poorer quality strawman than usual.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#10)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 09:38:56 AM EST
    sailor - Please stick to the facts. No one "kidnapped" him. He was arrested, had a meeting with the Canadian consul and met with a lawyer. And it is plain that Canada, based on information that had, didn't demand his release. So he was sent to Syria. As I noted, what happened is wrong. But to make inaccurate over the top statements merely inflame and cause people who do a bit of critical thinking to walk away.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#11)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 10:20:59 AM EST
    Sky-Ho - As I noted, no one is "defending" anything. My point is that Canada is to blame, the US is to blame and we might throw in OBL and his merry band of killers for their actions starting the reaction of officals in both countries. Are you willing to note the cause and effect? Or is it only America? My other point, stated and re-stated, is that over the top statements don't help. i.e. "kidnapped," etc. The facts speak for themselves. Guilding the lily is unhelpful to a reasonable discussion. And Arar doesn't help when he makes claims that a reasonable person rejects. What happens is that he impeachs himself, and people start to disbelieve everything.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 12:02:08 PM EST
    J- again, is Arar a Candian citizen? Do you accept the US's acting as if Arar is not Canadian? Your timeline quotes are selective. The US didn't offer to deport him to Canada- they offered to extradite him to Canada as a prisoner. If Canada had detained an Egyptian born US citizen, and the US wouldn't agree to charging him with the Canadian charges, you're ok with deportation to Egypt? Would it matter when this hypothetical citizen came to the US? Because the US appears to only care about birthplace: an adopted baby remains Syrian for life under these US standards. Acceptable? June 1, 2005 Senator Pierre De Bané testifies that U.S. officials offered to return Arar to Canada on condition that he be incarcerated and charged. When Canada refused, the U.S. deported Arar to Syria. De Bané says he learned of the offer from former Foreign Affiars Department officer Gar Pardy, who testified earlier. Sept. 14, 2004: A heavily censored portion of a classified report from the Security Intelligence Review Committee is released. The report says the Canadian Security Intelligence Service wasn't aware the U.S. planned to arrest and deport Maher Arar to Syria. Nov. 5, 2003: Prime Minister Jean Chrétien tells the House of Commons that the U.S. government's deportation of a Canadian to Syria was "unacceptable," but he is adamant that he will not allow an independent inquiry into the case of Arar. He says his government has asked U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell for an explanation and that the government also wants to find out whether Canadian intelligence officials played a role in the deportation of Arar. Oct. 29, 2002: Canada issues travel advisory to all Canadians born in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan or Syria to reconsider entering the United States. It follows a U.S. decision to photograph and fingerprint people born in those countries who enter the U.S. Oct. 22, 2002: Foreign Affairs Department says Arar is being held in a Syrian prison. Oct. 21, 2002: Arar seen in Syria. Oct. 16, 2002: Graham complains to U.S. government about arrest and deportation of Arar. Oct. 10, 2002: Canadian officials are informed Arar has been deported. October 4 Arar receives a visit from Canadian consul Maureen Girvan. Arar shows her the document he has been given, and she notes the contents. He tells her he is frightened of being deported to Syria, and she reassures him that this will not happen.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 12:22:20 PM EST
    Maher Arar is a Syrian-born Canadian citizen.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#14)
    by Sailor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 12:49:12 PM EST
    Kidnapping: Definition- Any illegal capture or detention of persons against their will.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 02:15:05 PM EST
    TalkLeft- Could this have happened if Arar was a Canadian citizen of Canadian birth? What if he was a Canadian born in another country which accepts jus sanguinis (citizenship by parents) and/or doesn't allow loss of citizenship, say, Costa Rica? [citizenship rules of countries- http://www.opm.gov/extra/investigate/IS-01.pdf The US used as an excuse the concept that Arar was still Syrian and not really Canadian. Nevermind that Syria is a dictatorship which doesn't let people voluntarily renounce their citizenship. The policy implication is that naturalized citizens aren't really citizens, above-and-beyond the "can't be President of the US" restriction. In following the Arar case for over 3 years, I have yet to see a good discussion of the US's attitude towards citizenship displayed in the Arar case.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 02:23:22 PM EST
    Jimbo,
    As I noted, no one is "defending" anything. My point is that Canada is to blame, the US is to blame and we might throw in OBL and his merry band of killers for their actions starting the reaction of officals in both countries. Are you willing to note the cause and effect? Or is it only America?
    But you are giving the US a pass based on your (so far, baseless) supposition that Canada did not intervene. and that is complete bull, to "justify" US actions based on something OBL did. Whenever the witless moron says "... since 9-11... " I think, well, the fruitcake is blaming what ensues on OBL, who appears to be running the country, now.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#17)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 03:47:37 PM EST
    Sky Hibo writes -
    But you are giving the US a pass based on your (so far, baseless) supposition that Canada did not intervene.
    What was it about this you can't understand:
    My point is that Canada is to blame, the US is to blame and we might throw in OBL and his merry band of killers for their actions starting the reaction of officals in both countries. Are you willing to note the cause and effect? Or is it only America?
    I mean, even after you quoted it you still can't seem to figure it out. OBL's fault? The point there is I wonder what your excuse for 9/11 is? You do have one, don't you? And did you also miss my 8:35 AM post, and links?
    On October 4 Arar receives a visit from Canadian consul Maureen Girvan. Arar shows July 6, 2004: A report released at the inquiry confirms the RCMP were in contact with U.S. authorities from Arar's arrest in New York to his deportation to Syria.
    Repeat after me. The Canadians knew exactly what was going on. All they had to do was say, STOP. They did not, and there is NO evidence that they did. So yes. They are to blame. They failed to protect their own citizen. Either because they thought he was connected to terrorism or because just didn't want the problem, I don't know, But the fact is, they did nothing. kathryn from Sunnyvale - You keep on avoiding the issue. The Canadians were aware (read the links and my summaries) but did nothing. As a result, the US said, okay, we'll give him to Syria. There's no mystery there. Canada didn't want him, so he was sent to his other country. Should it have happened? No. But Canada could have stopped it, which tells me they also thought he was guilty. There is nothing selective in the quotes. The Consul saw him before he was sent to Syria. The RCMP knew all about this before he was sent to Syria. You write:
    If Canada had detained an Egyptian born US citizen, and the US wouldn't agree to charging him with the Canadian charges, you're ok with deportation to Egypt?
    No, I would accept him, and then release him on bond until I decided if he should be charged. What I wouldn't do is reject him knowing that he would be sent to Egypt. The Canadians wouldn't do that because they thought he was guilty, and wanted nothing to do with him.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#18)
    by Sailor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 04:08:55 PM EST
    So I proved he was kidnapped, and yet some commenter just changed the subject ... again. Changing the subject after proven to have lied just means that you admit you lied. Tho I am pleased that ppj admits the US gov't sent a man to be tortured.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#19)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 04:30:41 PM EST
    Sailor writes:
    Changing the subject after proven to have lied just means that you admit you lied. Tho I am pleased that ppj admits the US gov't sent a man to be tortured.
    Huh? Is that like, "Love means you never have to say your sorry?" Oh well. No Sailor, just because someone keeps repeating an inaccurate comment and you don't point it out every time.. no that doesn't mean you agreee with him. It also isn't a "lie." My, my. You do stretch for'em, don't you? And isn't putting words in someone's mouth that they didn't say, a lie? Cause I never said they sent him to be tortured. I said they sent him to his second country. Bit of a differece, eh?? BTW - If the government takes you into custody and notifes your government, in this case Canada, how can that be kidnapping? How many kidnappers let the kidnappee have a lawyer. Gesh, Sailor. You really are reaching.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#20)
    by Sailor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 05:04:07 PM EST
    TL, if I donated as much money to you as PPJ has would I get the same 'friendy' treatment as ppj has!?

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 06:48:12 PM EST
    Sailor, this thread is about Maher, not Jim. You are free to ignore his comments. He hasn't violated the commenting policy that I can tell. Please email me with specifics if you see it differently. On the other hand, Sky Ho needs to stop the name-calling which I am now going to edit out.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 07:08:02 PM EST
    J- Canada refused the US's restrictions of letting Arar go to Canada only if Canada treated Arar as guilty because they thought Arar was guilty? If Canada thought Arar was guilty, why would they have a problem with the US's requirements that Arar be treated as guilty? "U.S. officials offered to return Arar to Canada on condition that he be incarcerated and charged. When Canada refused, the U.S. deported Arar to Syria." Breaking it down: Canada could think Arar is guilty or not-guilty, and Canada could either lie or tell the truth to the US about what Canada will do with Arar if they take Arar. If Canada thought Arar was guilty, then Arar could be accepted under the US conditions. If Canada thought Arar was not-guilty, they could either lie to the US to accept custody (and then immediately release Arar) or they could incarcerate someone they thought was not-guilty. Neither of these would be acceptable to the government. If the US threatened Canada by saying "either you take him under unacceptable restrictions, or we send him to Syria," shouldn't Canada have treated that as blackmail? If Canada made an exception for Arar (to accept the US's restrictions to get him back), wouldn't it make Canada more susceptible to more blackmails? In general, should Canada give in if its told "Incarcerate one of your citizens and treat him as guilty, or we'll send him off to a country known to torture"? Should any country accept this behavior from another country?

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#23)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 09:01:07 PM EST
    kathryn from Sunnyvale - If Canada thought he was innocent they should have done whatever was necessary to get him back. He was, after all, a citizen of Canada. I would guess that a strong note to our SOS would have cut him free in a heart beat. If not, I would guess that Bush would always take a call from their PM. My point in all of this is not that he was well treated. He wasn't, and I said so at least 18 months ago, on this blog. My point is that Canada had the resppnsibility. They knew where he was and what the situation was. Yet they did nothing. I'd doggone sure hate to walk down a dark alley with these guys. So what they did was play geopolitics, and then try to wiggle. They believed the same thing the US did. So. If you want to beat up on both countries, have at it. But don't try to do a halfway job of it.

    Re: Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing (none / 0) (#24)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Mar 25, 2006 at 08:26:45 AM EST
    and we might throw in OBL and his merry band of killers for their actions starting the reaction of officals in both countries. LOL You forgot Clinton. You're slipping.

    Maher Arar Testifies At EU Commission Hearing | 24 comments (24 topical)