Katherine at Obsidian Wings has compiled a solid group of posts about the Maher Arar case and they're all worth reading (hat tip to Kevin at CalPundit).
In the comments section at CalPundit, the commenters rationalizing the deportation of Arar to Syria have argued that
1.) We're at war!
2.) Treaties like the Convention Against Torture are irrelevant!
3.) The Iraqi's torture people, too!
4.) Al Qaeda are bad people!
5.) How do we know Arar was innocent?
6.) Torture works!
These responses are patently absurd as justification for such a monstrous act as torture, but I'll respond anyway. I'll try to type slowly for those who seem unable to comprehend.
1.) It's irrelevant. Torture is illegal. Sending people to nations that torture is a violation of the Convention Against Torture (see Article 3) which the US has signed and ratified.
2.) Read Article VI Clause 2 of the US Constitution:
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. [my emphasis]
3.) Did your mama not teach you that two wrongs don't make a right?
4.) Irrelevant. See 1 above.
5.) Irrelevant. See 1 above
6.) Nonsense. Darius Rejali is an associate professor of political science at Reed College and an expert on torture. Read this article by him which touches briefly on the ineffectiveness of torture.
This book is another good source on the subject:
It's indefensible, period.
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