The troubled world economy will almost certainly top the agenda when President Barack Obama meets Thursday with Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, in Ottawa. We hope the two leaders will also take the time to discuss the painful case of Maher Arar. Arar, a Syrian-born Canadian, is the most well-known victim of the Bush administration’s notorious policy of extraordinary rendition, or the outsourcing of interrogations to foreign governments known to use torture.

Last week, in a rendition case argued in San Francisco, Obama’s Justice Department sent a troubling signal of continuity by embracing the extravagant state-secrets claims pioneered by the Bush administration. In Arar’s case, the secrecy claims are even more baseless in light of the widespread publicity about his treatment, and the published findings by the Canadians.

Harper should press Obama on Arar’s behalf. President Obama can demonstrate his commitment to human rights and the rule of law by addressing Arar’s case. He should pledge to review the case, including any questions raised by security officials. His administration should also issue a full report on Arar’s mistreatment, along with an apology, and an offer to compensate him for his injuries. All are long overdue. — International Herald Tribune