from the desk of: Rolf Auer writer

July 26, 2012 43 Lavergne Street Ottawa ON K1L 5E9 The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa ON K1A 0A2 Dear Prime Minister, Remember some time ago when the evocation of the name of Canada was equivalent to a general representation of peace? Remember back when young Canadians used to sew little Canadian flags on their backpacks because the world thought of peace when they saw that flag? Remember how Canadians used to joke about the shouting faces seen in the red maple leaf in the flag? Well, the shouting faces are not a joke anymore. There are no fond memories of peaceful Canada left in the world. However, you can start to rectify this by repatriating Canadian Omar Khadr. As you undoubtedly know, Khadr was captured at age 15 in Afghanistan by U.S. forces in 2002, and has ever since endured the cruelties of the Bagram and Guantnamo Bay prisons. In 2008, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that participation by Canadian officials in Khadrs Guantnamo Bay incarceration which violated the Geneva Conventionsconflicted with Canadas international obligations. In 2010, the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that Khadrs Charter rights had been contravened. In 2010, Canada agreed to Khadrs repatriation, if he served an additional year in prison. He agreed, and since November 2011 has been eligible for return to Canada. It is now July 2012, and still there is a dearth of action from Canada on this issue. Actions speak louder than words goes the beautifully truthful aphorism, which Ive seen expressed by at least one police force as Deeds speak. What has happened to Canadas humanity? Where are Canadas peaceful deeds in the world? Why is Canada sadly missing in action on Khadrs repatriation? Please, return Canadian citizen Omar Khadr to Canada immediately. Because he suffered abuses abroad, it would be even better that he were offered some sort of compensation from Canada for these; however, at the very least, please return him immediately. Sincerely yours,

Rolf Auer cc: The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety

I Peter 5:14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity: Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. John 15:12 Jesus: This is my Commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.