You may be against terror, Mr. Blaney, but do you stand for justice?

 Omar Khadr was released on bail yesterday. Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said this:

"Omar Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, including the murder of American army medic Sgt. Christopher Speer."

And, yes. He has. But, Mr. Blaney, do you understand that an accused cannot be permitted to plead guilty to a non-existent crime? That is the justice system. There is no doubt that Khadr killed U.S. Medic Christopher Speer. What is in doubt is was a war crime, which is what the U.S. charged him with and what he pleaded guilty to. The facts, at least as I know them, strain the definition of war crime. 

This is not to excuse the reprehensible nature of Khadr’s action on that day 13 years ago. It is, however, to embrace the rule of law and our justice system. It’s about the appropriate treatment of a child soldier, indoctrinated with hate by his father.

Enough with empty, jingoistic statements like “We stand against terror” or “We are on the side of the victims.” Of course you are. We all are. But, it is not impossible to stand on the side of justice and fairness. I happen to have a deep faith in our justice system. It is not without flaws but it is a remarkable vehicle to both protect the citizenry from each other but also protect individuals from the bias and bigotry of the state.

Get onside Mr. Blaney. Start by reading this analysis:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/omar-khadr-s-odds-of-winning-u-s-appeal-look-good-legal-expert-says-1.3065931