Citing violations of international and U.S. law, the psychological effects of torture and mistreatment of a child, and the mounting evidence of Omar Khadr ’s innocence on the most serious charge he faces, experts today issued a joint statement calling for an immediate halt of his Military Commissions trial. The joint statement calls on President-Elect Obama to immediately stop the trial upon assuming office on January 20, 2009. Absent prompt action, Omar Khadr’s fatally-flawed military trial will start on January 26th – just six days after the new administration takes office.  Over 350 children’s and human rights activists, scholars, advocates and professionals who work with youth have signed on to condemn the Bush administration’s torture and prosecution of child soldier Omar Khadr under the Military Commissions Act.

The Juvenile Law Center has issued the following press release and letter to President Obama.

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The Juvenile Law Center is one of the oldest multi-issue public interest law firms for children in the United States.  JLC uses the law to protect and promote children’s rights and interests in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that public systems do not harm children and you in their care.