Statement of apology to Mr. Almalki, Mr. Abou-Elmaati, Mr. Nureddin

Ottawa, March 17, 2017 – Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement:

“Today, we are announcing that the Government of Canada has reached settlements with Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin, bringing these civil cases to a close.  

On behalf of the Government of Canada, we wish to apologize to Mr. Almalki, Mr. Abou-Elmaati and  Mr. Nureddin, and their families, for any role Canadian officials may have played in relation to their detention and mistreatment abroad and any resulting harm.

The Government of Canada strongly condemns abuse and torture of any kind and is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to respect and protect human rights.

We hope that the steps taken today will support them and their families in their efforts to begin a new and hopeful chapter in their lives.

The Government of Canada is committed to keeping Canadians safe and safeguarding their rights and freedoms, no matter where they are in the world.”


Information:

Scott Bardsley
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
(613) 991-0657