Monia Mazigh, the wife of Maher Arar who campaigned tirelessly for his return to Canada, spoke at UWO Law today.

After a Royal Commission that exonerated him, Arar received an apology from the RCMP and compensation from the Canadian government to help cover his legal costs. Despite this, nobody has been held accountable in Canada, and he continues to face difficulties over his inclusion on lists in the U.S.

She said her husband’s case is just one of many that the Canadian public need to learn more about.

Omar Ha-Redeye was interviewed for CityTv news at 6pm on Maher Arar and the use of torture by proxy by Canada.

RCMP Asst. Commissioner Mike McDonnell spoke at UWO Law today.

He talked at great length on the relationship between the RCMP and the legal community.

But he also fielded some tough questions from the audience regarding recent RCMP tactics, including over-breadth towards counter-terrorism, staff shortages and allegations of incompetence, and the use of tasers.

One attendee specifically asked about RCMP complicity in torture in the cases of Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati, and Muayyed Nureddin.  He pointed out that Foreign Affairs official Jonathan Solomon was aware as early as October 2002 of the likelihood of torture, citing pp. 208-209 of the Arar Report,

The RCMP are ready to send their Syrian counterparts a request that Al Malki be asked questions provided by the RCMP, questions relating to other members of his organization. Both ISI and DMSCUS/HOM [Ambassador Pillarella] have pointed out to the RCMP that such questioning may involve torture. The RCMP are aware of this but have nonetheless decided to send their request.
[Emphasis Added]

These three individuals are expected to visit London, Ontario in the coming weeks to relate their story, and the issue of “the other Arars” has become one of interest to the community here.