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Letter to the Editor Talking Points
- Maher Arar was arbitrarily detained, tortured, and held in a grave-like cell for ten months in Syria. He was released a year later without ever being charged with a crime. Senior officials of the Bush administration must be held accountable for this grave violation of constitutional and human rights.
- Former Attorney General John Ashcroft and other officials violated Maher Arar's constitutional rights and basic human rights such as freedom from torture and arbitrary detention. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to rehear Arar's case is an opportunity to uphold the rule of law, restrain Executive power, and rectify these human rights violations.
- This is a critical case for holding members of the Bush administration accountable for torture and ensuring that victims can obtain justice. The courts must ensure that measures taken in the name of national security comply with the law.
- December 10, 2008 is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Maher Arar's case, to be heard on December 9th, is a vital opportunity for the U.S. to show its commitment to upholding the universal rights enshrined in the UDHR.
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