Brock University’s Muslim Students Association with support from the St Catharine’s community welcomed Dennis Edney to Brock's campus for what they hoped would be the Final Call for Justice. Edney is currently Omar Khadr’s lawyer and has been for the past six years.
Khadr, at the age of 15, was captured by American forces following a lengthy firefight against militants in the village of Ayub Kheyl, Afghanistan. Upon capture, Khadr was transported to Guantanamo Bay where he has spent 6 years under detention charged with war crimes, and providing support to terrorism after allegedly throwing a grenade that killed a US soldier.
Lawyer, Dennis Edney’s lecture was of particular importance to Brock University as Khadr, born in Toronto, is a Canadian citizen, not only that but he is also the youngest prisoner held in Guantanamo Bay by the United States. With talks going around about the possible closure of Guantanamo Bay under the Obama administration, it is important to note that Khadr remains to be the only Western citizen remaining in the detention camp. Edney spoke of the importance of keeping pressure on the Harper administration, as Canada has on multiple occasions refused to seek extradition, or reparation despite the urgings of the Canadian Bar Association, as well as international organizations like Amnesty International, and UNICEF.
This was a timely lecture, as it is followed very closely by Khadr’s trail, which is today, January 19th. While most Americans will be out celebrating Martin Luther King Day and preparing for Barrack Obama’s inauguration, this court case will unfold in private. Opposition has been voiced, not only by thousands of Canadian citizens, but also by top UN officials, who have appealed to president-elect Barack Obama’s team, arguing it would set a bad president to prosecute a child soldier. Canada on this day has chosen once again to remain silent.
If one were to take anything for Mr. Edney’s lecture Thursday night, it would be to contact Prime Minister Harper, to flood him with calls and letters, and not give up until he is pressured into making a phone call, because that’s all it would take.
