Article: Rendition/Torture Surviver Maher Arar to Testify Before Congress Today

Today (Thursday, October 18) at 2:00 p.m., Canadian citizen Maher Arar will testify at a Congressional hearing and tell the story of how he was abducted by the U.S. and sent to Syria to be interrogated under torture. Maher was never accused of any crime, and a later investigation found that there were no links between Maher and any terrorist organizations or terrorist activities. According to a case study by Amnesty International, "He was never given a hearing nor did the Canadian consulate, his lawyer, or his family know of his fate. Expulsion in such circumstances, without a fair hearing, and to a country known for regularly torturing their prisoners, violates the U.S. Government's obligations under international law, specifically the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment." Watch the hearing: According to the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), which is representing Maher in a lawsuit, you will be able to watch the hearing live online by going to www.foreignaffairs.house.gov and clicking on the "Live Webcast" button at the bottom-right portion of the page. CCR goes on to say that "Ironically, Maher will be testifying at his own hearing via video-link from Canada, as he continues to be banned from entering the U.S." Demand justice for Maher Arar: CCR is demanding that Congress: " Make an official, public apology to Maher; " Release all documents pertaining to Maher's rendition; " Launch an independent commission to investigate Maher's rendition; and " Demand that Maher Arar be removed from the watch-list immediately. Indeed. It's the very least they could do. >> Contact your members of Congress and instruct them accordingly. Thank you for taking action, and thank you for caring. ###