Canadian Bar Association Calls For Closing Of Guantanamo Bay

CBA President Bernard Amyot, together with 34 bar leaders from around the world, has called on U.S. President George W. Bush to immediately close the prison facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

“Few governmental operations by democratic countries have shown such a profound disrespect for the rule of law,” says Bernard Amyot. “Guantanamo Bay has come to signify injustice for some at the hands of the powerful.”

The 35 bar leaders, including the Bâtonnier de l’Ordre des avocats de Paris and the President of the Law Society of England and Wales, have signed a joint letter condemning the situation at Guantanamo Bay, while at the same time recognizing the ongoing worldwide threat of terrorism. “By calling for the closure of Guantanamo, we do not detract from the horror of acts of terrorism in the U.S. or other countries,” the letter reads. The bar leaders also called upon Prime Minister Stephen Harper to request Canadian Omar Khadr be transferred to the custody of Canadian law enforcement officials, so that he can face due process under Canadian law and the principles of the rule of law.

Letter to prime minister with joint statement:
http://listserver.cba.org/t/1210293/8407966/2402/0/

CBA President’s speech to Mid-Winter Meeting:
http://listserver.cba.org/t/1210293/8407966/2461/0/