Madam Speaker, I have two petitions concerning the extradition of Leonard Peltier.
The first petition notes that at the time of Leonard Peltier's extradition from Canada to the United States, the information provided to the Canadian government regarding Mr. Peltier's case was fabricated by the U.S. authorities. Since that time, new information has emerged which indicates that Leonard Peltier was framed for a crime he did not commit and for which he has spent the last 18 years in prison. Key evidence was suppressed, as found out under the freedom of information act. Perjury was rampant throughout the trial and the key witness, Myrtle Poor Bear, recanted her evidence publicly.
Therefore, the petitioners request that Parliament lobby the U.S. government for Mr. Peltier's return to Canada.
Madam Speaker, the second petition is similar to the first.
It asserts that Leonard Peltier is innocent but still remains in prison after 18 years. Under the U.S. freedom of information laws it was found that the FBI had withheld certain evidence which would have been helpful to Mr. Peltier's case. At Mr. Peltier's first appeal in 1986 the court concluded that his defence at the trial had been hampered by misconduct and perjury.
Therefore, the petitioners request that Parliament lobby and advocate on behalf of Mr. Peltier to obtain a prison transfer to Canada.