The Canadian Prime Minister, Steven Harbour has apologised today (26/1/2006) to the Syrian and Canadian citizen Maher Arar, for the error committed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which resulted in him being arrested by American Authorities and subsequently deported to Syria. In Syria, he spent 11 months in the Palestine Branch for Military Interrogation in the most degrading conditions, and in which he was subjected to severe torture.

The president of the Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) commented on the apology and compensation, saying, "These mannerisms show civility, responsibility and a respect for human rights. They bring justice to the oppressed and deserve appreciation."

The president of SHRC also called upon the Syrian Authorities, and first and foremost, the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, to use this opportunity and release the thousands of detainees in prisons, reveal the fates of those who have disappeared, allow a peaceful return for all exiles and compensate those who have been harmed by the practises of the Syrian regime. He also called for an apology to be made to the Syrian public for the dangerous violations of civil human rights, and for forbidding Syrian citizens their freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, forming political parties and democratic action. 

The president of SHRC concluded by saying that such an action would create the first constructive step towards reform. It would also be greeted and accepted by all, and would transfer the country from a state of despair and depression to a state of hope and anticipation. 

Syrian Human Rights Committee
26/1/2006