If we had them before us, we wouldn't have sufficient time to analyze and to ask the proper questions.
I want to thank the professor and his students from the faculty of law of the University of Ottawa; they did an excellent job. I will go on to my statement and question.
We have been concerned from day one about this issue of Omar Khadr, especially given the fact that we know the military commission he's under is something that is an affront to the rule of law as we know it. Most human rights experts have condemned what's taking place in Guantanamo Bay and are greatly concerned also about the issues of whether torture is taking place.
We know that Canada has both domestic and international legal obligations to our conventions--to the Geneva convention, but also to the Convention Against Torture. There is an issue we are greatly concerned about: the fact that the Canadian government has not provided Omar with consular assistance normally afforded to Canadians in prison abroad and has largely relied on U.S. assurance that he is being treated humanely.
We also know from the UN, especially the UN special rapporteur, Theo van Boven, that assurance is not good enough and that countries should not rely on assurance when dealing with issues of torture. So we have that pronouncement.
We have now the Supreme Court pronouncement as well, of late, which basically says that charter rights do apply and do matter, that even in extraterritorial decisions it is important for the rule of law that they be upheld.
We're very much concerned about this, and we are also at the same time saying that we want Omar here, but we want him here to face justice—not an injustice that is taking place, but to face justice here; we don't want him to roam around without ever facing consequences. I think the presentation today outlines that there are valid legal arguments for trying him here in Canada. This, I think, is the place where he should be tried.
So we have obligations to fulfill and we have to fulfill them in a humane and just way, meeting our international and domestic obligations. I think that's what needs to be done.
My question, for anybody who wants to take it, is, what is it that Canada needs to do to fulfill its obligations so that we can comply with the rule of law?