Maher Arar, a 36-year-old software engineer, who was arrested by U.S. agents in 2002 during a stopover in New York on his way home to Canada from a holiday was deported to Syria, where he says he was jailed and tortured before his release in 2003. Yesterday the following letter of apology was released by the Prime Minister’s Office. Here is the Official Government Announcement.
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Dear Mr. Arar:
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish to apologize to you, Monia Mazigh and your family for any role Canadian officials may have played in the terrible ordeal that all of you experienced in 2002 and 2003.
Although these events occurred under the last government, please rest assured that this government will do everything in its power to ensure that the issues raised by Commissioner O’Connor are addressed.
I trust that, having arrived at a negotiated settlement, we have ensured that fair compensation will be paid to you and your family. I sincerely hope that these words and actions will assist you and your family in your efforts to begin a new and hopeful chapter in your lives.
Yours sincerely,
