Welcome to hell.
(–the CBC)
And why is this important, you might ask?
Canada must maintain relationships with “non-traditional” allies, some of whom do not always treat people appropriately, in order to fight terrorism, says a government brief made public Thursday.
“The fact that a particular country may have a poor human rights record is not sufficient, without other compelling circumstances, to preclude the sharing of information.”
Really. And what exactly do you mean by “the sharing of information,” if I may be so bold as to ask?
It says some countries, particularly in the Middle East, will not recognize the formal rights of the other country of nationality, such as Canada. In such cases, even if Foreign Affairs can confirm that a Canadian who holds another citizenship is detained, “access to that individual may simply be denied.”
Ottawa filed the submission in advance of hearings next week at a commission of inquiry into the cases of three men who claim Canadian officials set the stage for their torture overseas.
“Set the stage” ?
“Widely and publicly available country reports indicated that torture was used regularly in national security cases in both Egypt and Syria.”
Yet, Canadian officials “sent questions to Syria, to be used in the case of Mr. Almalki, and sought to exchange information with the Syrian officials even after Mr. El Maati had informed (consular staff) in Cairo that he had been tortured during his detention in Syria.”
Ah. So these are Canadian citizens who have been arrested by thuggish police states, and then the Canadian government sends a handy list of “questions” that the torturers can use while torturing these Canadian citizens. Citizens who, the CBC cheerfully informs us, are:
… back in Canada and have not been charged with any crime.
Welcome to hell, Canada. Here’s your party hat, invitation to join the GOP, and bright red clown nose. I hope that 2% reduction in the GST was worth it.
(–via Creekside)