C
Inquiry urged to shed secrecy
Oct. 10
Former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci's internal inquiry must get to the truth about alleged mistreatment abroad of three Muslim men, and it must do so while safeguarding valuable security secrets from our foreign and internal enemies.
The Canadian Coalition for Democracies, a human rights organization and intervener in the Iacobucci inquiry, is satisfied that Commissioner Iacobucci is making reasonable, responsible progress in his methodical examination of evidence. His inquiry operates according to rules that all participants and intervening organizations were invited to comment upon.
It is therefore disappointing that Amnesty International and a group of companion interveners are orchestrating press conferences and publicity spectacles intended to pressure Iacobucci into changing course. It is hoped that this disruptive effort is not aimed at turning the mandate of an efficient internal inquiry into a publicity-generating, secrets-spilling exercise of a sort common to Ottawa and enamoured of legalists and NGO fundraisers.
With an international budget of tens of millions of dollars, Amnesty International's powerful and politicized voice risks drowning out average Canadians' efforts to secure a workable balance between our liberties and our safety.
Such organizations should desist for the moment, and let the independent inquiry do its work conscientiously and without further disruption.
Should issues be unresolved when the commissioner reports early next year, Canadians will always be free to call upon government or courts for further review.
David B. Harris,
Counsel to Canadian Coalition for Democracies as Intervener, Iacobucci Internal Inquiry, Ottawa
