Maher Arar. (Sebastien St-Jean/QMI Agency)

MONTREAL - Despite his aspirations to above all live a "normal" life in which he would work "like everyone else," Maher Arar can't help but actively work for human rights since, according to him, Canada continues to scorn them, citing the case of Omar Khadr.

The Canadian engineer of Syrian origin, deported and tortured in his native country under suspicion of association with Al-Qaida, Sunday deplored that "the issue of national security has become an alibi for governments which want to stop citizens from asking questions."

"It's not unsual these days to hear of citizens who've been stranded outside the country. It's unacceptable that the government does nothing to help these people whose rights and safety are threatened. Is Canada doing enough?" he asked in an address to delegates at an Amnesty International conference.

Maher Arar is also convinced that several Canadian citizens have lived experiences similar to his, but are reluctant to speak about it publicly out of fear.

"The Canadian government is weak on the issue of protecting its citizens in foreign countries. It knows how to be very silent and mysterious. As well, our government sub-contracts torture," says Peter Leuprecht, former director of the Montreal International Studies Institute, in support of Arar.

Also on the panel tackling the issue of protection of Canadian citizens in foreign countries was attorney Nathalie Des Rosiers, head of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (ACLC), who recommended that legislation be enacted to oversee diplomatic/consular decisions, with the aim of preventing arbitrary mistakes.

Even though events surrounding his situation date back to 2002 and that judge Dennis O'Conner ruled that he was innocent in 2006, Arar is still finding it difficult to pick up his normal life.

"After a year of torture, you're completely shattered. I'm not the same person I once was, someone with self-confidence and the desire and willingness to move forward. It's just recently that I came to terms with the reality that my nightmares will follow me the rest of my life. Those who knew me before 2002 find that I've changed," he said.

Ahar also believes that clouds of suspicion will always hang over his head despite being cleared of charges and that this will make his search for employment very difficult. And even though he dreams of "a normal life", he's decided to continue to actively work to improve the lot of certain Canadians in foreign countries, such as Omar Khadr, suspected of terrorism and being held in Guantanamo since 2005.

"There are serious doubts as to what he (Khadr) was supposed to have done. Furthermore, he was arrested at age 15, a boy-soldier. The government is not indifferent to his situation. To the contrary, it is against his repatriation," Maher says in despair.

In 2007, Prime Minister Steven Harper offered Arar the federal government's official apology for Canada's involvement in the American decision to deport him to Syria without due process. He was subsequently awarded $10.5 million in damages.