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Maher ArarCanadian engineer born in Syria
Country:
 Canada |
Content:
- Maher Arar: Canadian Engineer and Survivor of Extraordinary Rendition
- Unlawful Deportation and Imprisonment
- Torture and Imprisonment in Syria
- Canadian Inquiry and Compensation
- U.S. Court Case and Government Immunity
Maher Arar: Canadian Engineer and Survivor of Extraordinary Rendition
Early Life and FamilyMaher Arar, a Syrian-born Canadian engineer, was happily married to Monia Mazigh and had two children. He lived in Canada, where he pursued his engineering career.
Unlawful Deportation and Imprisonment
On September 26, 2002, Arar's life took a dramatic turn. While returning to Canada from a vacation in Tunisia, he was arrested at a New York airport and extradited to Syria despite his Canadian citizenship. This extraordinary rendition sparked controversy as Arar held a Canadian passport and the Canadian government allegedly ignored this fact. Syria is known for its use of torture.
Torture and Imprisonment in Syria
For over a year, Arar was imprisoned in Syria without any charges. He endured severe torture and was forced to sign false confessions. The Syrian government admitted it had no evidence against him, and he was finally released on October 5, 2003.
Canadian Inquiry and Compensation
Arar's deportation and treatment sparked outrage in Canada. An inquiry was launched, revealing the government's partial complicity in the事件. In January 2007, the Canadian government awarded Arar $10.5 million in compensation.
U.S. Court Case and Government Immunity
Arar filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit against former government officials, including John Ashcroft. However, the case was dismissed on November 2, 2009, due to the administration's assertion of state secrets privilege.
