Canadian Citizens Apologize to Benatta

From The Star:

Benamar Benatta, a Canadian… like… me… recounts how his country turned a blind, cowardly and disgraced eye when the U.S. unlawfully imprisoned and tortured him for five years. All he wants now is an apology. Canada won’t apologize, so I will. Mr. Benatta, I’m sorry that you were let down by a country that prides itself on a reputation of upholding human rights. —Jeff Green, Toronto

I’m a 10th grade student at Bayview Secondary School and I find it appalling that our politicians have allowed themselves to be blinded by their prejudice. …Benatta has obviously faced traumatizing experiences and needs professional help that the government should provide. Aside from financial compensation for detaining him without evidence in a U.S. jail, an official apology should also be made. Without a full apology, Benatta cannot move on with his life.

If we pride ourselves as a country that upholds the rights and freedoms of all, and values the lives of everybody equally, we cannot allow cases like Benatta’s to be ignored. —Jessica Chan, Richmond Hill

Good people. If only the likes of Stephen Harper had such decency.