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detainee

Tuesday December 8, 2020

December 15, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday December 8, 2020

Canadians must never forget ‘the two Michaels’

If any Canadians still wonder why their country isn’t ready to become one of China’s best bosom buddies, this week should remind them.

November 20, 2020

As of Thursday, Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig will have suffered for two full years in Chinese jails where they were almost certainly locked up for political, rather than legal, reasons.

Just think back to Dec. 10, 2018 and consider all the things you’ve done, all the places you’ve been, all the people you’ve seen and all the freedoms you’ve savoured since then. Then remember the men who are now widely referred to as “the two Michaels.” 

While both have had only restricted contact with the outside world, we know they’ve endured months of daily interrogations in deplorable, solitary confinement-like conditions where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day. And while for a time Spavor and Kovrig were at least allowed an occasional, brief visit from Canadian consular staff, the Chinese are now using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to make them even more unreachable — and alone.

That this constitutes cruel, inhumane treatment should go without saying. But it is also egregiously unjust and underlines the stark difference between Canada’s adherence to the rule of international law and China’s inclination to make up the rules that suit its fancy. 

December 12, 2018

The Chinese incarcerated the two Michaels just days after Canada’s house arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who is wanted on fraud charges in the United States. While Spavor and Kovrig languish in cramped cells, Meng is out on bail, living comfortably in Vancouver where she divides her time between her two mansions. While Spavor and Kovrig have been denied proper legal representation, Meng has access to the small army of lawyers she hired to fight her extradition to the U.S.

From the day of Meng’s arrest two years ago, the Canadian government clearly explained a legal agreement with the U.S. compelled it to take action against her. In contrast, while China has formally charged Spavor and Kovrig with espionage, its real motive for arresting them is different. 

July 25, 2019

This is hostage diplomacy, plain and simple, a blatant attempt by a global superpower to force Canada to bow to its commands. The Chinese themselves basically confirmed this is the case in June. That’s when Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said it was “within the rule of law” for China to release Spavor and Kovrig — if Canada freed Meng first.

Of course, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was right not to buckle to the pressure on him to interfere with Canadian courts and free Meng. If you give in to a bully once, the bully will inevitably be back again to twist your arm into doing something else. And this is the same bully that has also arbitrarily blocked its imports of Canadian farm products, all while badgering Canada to allow China’s Huawei Technologies Co., equipment to be used in Canada’s 5G wireless networks.

China is a country that, because of its political power and economic prowess, Canada must engage. But its aggressive dealings with Canada, including sending over state agents to intimidate Canadian citizens who publicly criticize China, mean we should keep a wary distance — and keep it out of our 5G network. 

Such a relationship should be reserved for a true friend. But a true friend wouldn’t have kept Spavor and Kovrig behind bars for two years. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2020-42, anniversary, Canada, captivity, China, detainee, flag, hostage, Maple Leaf, Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor, two michaels

Tuesday May 12, 2015

May 11, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

Tuesday May 12, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 12, 2015

Green party Leader May “very apologetic” about Omar Khadr remarks

Green party Leader Elizabeth May says she is “very apologetic” about remarks she made on the weekend that included profanity and insulted the federal cabinet about how it has treated Omar Khadr.

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday May 8, 2015 Omar Khadr walks free on bail after 13 years in custody With those words, Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Myra Bielby turned down the federal governmentÕs last-ditch effort Thursday to keep the 28-year-old detained. Omar Khadr broke into a big, wide smile when the decision was read. His supporters in the courtroom erupted in cheers. At 2:03 p.m. Toronto time, his lawyer Nathan Whitling posted a picture on Twitter of Khadr walking out of the courtroom with the caption: Ò#omarkhadr walks free.Ó The burly young man wore sneakers, jeans and a black T-shirt with his other lawyer, Dennis Edney, flanking him. ÒWhatever anybody might think of Mr. Khadr he has now served his time.Ó Bielby had heard arguments in the case Tuesday but said she could not rule immediately and granted the government a 48-hour stay in the bail order. Her decision to turn down the governmentÕs emergency motion cannot be appealed, but Ottawa will appeal the bail order itself, which was granted in March by Justice June Ross. No date has been set yet for that appeal and Khadr is free on bail until the case works its way through the appeal court. "We are disappointed by the decision of the court, because we feel that victims should be considered in the decisions," Public Safety Minster Steven Blaney said at a press conference. Blaney said legal procedures against Khadr are "still underway" but he would not comment on whether the case will go to the Supreme Court. In an earlier statement, Blaney also said: ÒOmar Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, including the murder of American Army medic Sergeant Christopher Speer. By his own admission, as reported in the media, his ideology has not changed. (Source: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/05/07/khadr-learns-his-fate-this-morning.html Canada, justice, Omar Khadr, court, detainee, terrorism, security, destiny, prison, release, jail

May was among party leaders who addressed Parliament Hill journalists and politicians on Saturday night at their annual press gallery dinner.

Usually, party leaders deliver light-hearted, mainly self-deprecating speeches that include the odd barb thrown at the media.

But May went on at length about being the only female leader and having to claw her way into televised leaders’ debates.

Transport Minister Lisa Raitt intervened and attempted to persuade May to end her speech, but instead, May played a recording of “Welcome back Kotter” — a theme song from a 1970s sitcom — and stated that Khadr has “more class than the whole f—ing cabinet.”


In a phone interview on Sunday, a hoarse May expressed her regrets for her taste in jokes, her lack of respect for her parliamentary colleagues and her choice of language.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to think I was less than respectful for the people with whom I work,” May said.

“I apologize that I made an attempt to be funny and edgy….and it didn’t work.”

May said she was just getting over the flu, had put in a 21-hour work day on Friday, and then had to rise early in British Columbia on Saturday morning to make it to the press gallery event in Gatineau, Que.

“My funny speech wasn’t funny. That’s not the first time a politician has done that.”

In the Khadr section of her speech, May said she meant to make the point that Canada is a country that gives people second chances, and that she hopes Canadians welcome him into their midst. (Source: CP)


Letter to the Editor (Hamilton Spectator, Saturday May 16, 2015)

May got a free pass from media

Why does Green party leader Elizabeth May get a free pass on her disgraceful behaviour spiced up with her moronic profanity-laced comparison of Stephen Harper’s cabinet and convicted killer Omar Khadr when she defended Khadr at the Press Gallery Dinner?

This inebriated outburst shows who and what Elizabeth May really is and she should do the honourable thing and step down, as this conduct is totally unbecoming of a national political party leader.

This will be yet another prime example of how the left-leaning press gives their free passes for their far left political party leaders and will let her off with her half-hearted apology when she sobered up.

If this had been Harper or a high-ranking Conservative. the news media would be screaming for their resignation. But I do have to admit Graeme MacKay’s cartoon depiction of May was a classic.

Doug Wadel, Dunnville

Posted in: Canada Tagged: adoration, Canada, detainee, Elizabeth May, fan, fanaticism, Green, Guantanamo, humour, infatuation, Omar Khadr, profanity

Friday May 8, 2015

May 7, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday May 8, 2015 Omar Khadr walks free on bail after 13 years in custody With those words, Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Myra Bielby turned down the federal governmentÕs last-ditch effort Thursday to keep the 28-year-old detained. Omar Khadr broke into a big, wide smile when the decision was read. His supporters in the courtroom erupted in cheers. At 2:03 p.m. Toronto time, his lawyer Nathan Whitling posted a picture on Twitter of Khadr walking out of the courtroom with the caption: Ò#omarkhadr walks free.Ó The burly young man wore sneakers, jeans and a black T-shirt with his other lawyer, Dennis Edney, flanking him. ÒWhatever anybody might think of Mr. Khadr he has now served his time.Ó Bielby had heard arguments in the case Tuesday but said she could not rule immediately and granted the government a 48-hour stay in the bail order. Her decision to turn down the governmentÕs emergency motion cannot be appealed, but Ottawa will appeal the bail order itself, which was granted in March by Justice June Ross. No date has been set yet for that appeal and Khadr is free on bail until the case works its way through the appeal court. "We are disappointed by the decision of the court, because we feel that victims should be considered in the decisions," Public Safety Minster Steven Blaney said at a press conference. Blaney said legal procedures against Khadr are "still underway" but he would not comment on whether the case will go to the Supreme Court. In an earlier statement, Blaney also said: ÒOmar Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, including the murder of American Army medic Sergeant Christopher Speer. By his own admission, as reported in the media, his ideology has not changed. (Source: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/05/07/khadr-learns-his-fate-this-morning.html Canada, justice, Omar Khadr, court, detainee, terrorism, security, destiny, prison, release, jail

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 8, 2015

Omar Khadr walks free on bail after 13 years in custody

With those words, Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Myra Bielby turned down the federal government’s last-ditch effort Thursday to keep the 28-year-old detained.

Omar Khadr broke into a big, wide smile when the decision was read. His supporters in the courtroom erupted in cheers.

At 2:03 p.m. Toronto time, his lawyer Nathan Whitling posted a picture on Twitter of Khadr walking out of the courtroom with the caption: “#omarkhadr walks free.” The burly young man wore sneakers, jeans and a black T-shirt with his other lawyer, Dennis Edney, flanking him.

“Whatever anybody might think of Mr. Khadr he has now served his time.”

Bielby had heard arguments in the case Tuesday but said she could not rule immediately and granted the government a 48-hour stay in the bail order.

Her decision to turn down the government’s emergency motion cannot be appealed, but Ottawa will appeal the bail order itself, which was granted in March by Justice June Ross.

No date has been set yet for that appeal and Khadr is free on bail until the case works its way through the appeal court.

“We are disappointed by the decision of the court, because we feel that victims should be considered in the decisions,” Public Safety Minster Steven Blaney said at a press conference. Blaney said legal procedures against Khadr are “still underway” but he would not comment on whether the case will go to the Supreme Court.

In an earlier statement, Blaney also said: “Omar Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, including the murder of American Army medic Sergeant Christopher Speer. By his own admission, as reported in the media, his ideology has not changed. (Source: Toronto Star)

Posted in: Canada Tagged: Canada, court, destiny, detainee, jail, justice, Omar Khadr, prison, release, security, terrorism

Tuesday October 2, 2012

October 2, 2012 by Graeme MacKay

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday October 2, 2012

The U.S. dumps a problem on Ottawa, with Omar Khadr’s return

For the Conservatives, Omar Khadr was an opportunity. Now he’s just a problem.

Mr. Khadr has finally returned to Canada, to serve out the remainder of his sentence for crimes committed against the United States in Afghanistan. Stephen Harper’s Conservative government had done everything in its legal power, short of a diplomatic breach with the U.S. government, to keep him interned at Guantanamo Bay, America’s problem.

But those efforts ran out, and now Mr. Khadr is coming home, where he will earn more than his share of unwelcome attention.

When Mr. Khadr was first apprehended on an Afghanistan battlefield by American forces and sent to Guantanamo, the Liberal government of the day treated him like the embarrassment he was. Foreign and Justice ministers spoke about him only when pressed, and then only in the most guarded of sentences. Ottawa was happy to let the Americans prosecute his crimes.

The Conservatives were less circumspect. Mr. Khadr was a wedge, one they were happy to exploit.

Human rights advocates saw Mr. Khadr not as a criminal or terrorist, but as a victim. At worst, he was a young offender, duped by his family into joining a war he was too immature to comprehend.

He was, in their eyes, a child soldier, no more complicit than the children impressed into the armies of African warlords. And his detention at Guantanamo was part and parcel of the Bush government’s abusive war against terrorists.

Conservatives have no truck with such talk; nor, they believe, do most Canadians, especially those Canadians inclined to vote Conservative. (Source: Globe & Mail) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: Afghanistan, baggage, Canada, detainee, Guantanamo, jail, Omar Khadr, prison, terrorist

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This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

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