Times Colonist: "Let the sun set on terror laws"

[zgrams at zgrams.zundelsite.org]

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Times Colonist

Published: Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Re: "Let the sun set on terror laws," Feb. 19.

The editorial deals throughout with "threats posed by international 
terrorism" and Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act. Under this act, the 
editorial states that "the authorities only have to show reasonable 
suspicion someone is a threat to justify permanent imprisonment."

It must be recalled that we have seen at least one case, that of 
Ernst Zundel, who was indefinitely incarcerated, in solitary 
confinement, without any hint that he posed a threat to Canada's 
national security; without being convicted, or even accused of any 
crime. In Zundel's case a national security certificate was used to 
silence and punish him for purely political reasons.

Not that it has any relevance in Canada, but the British Law Lords 
ruled more than two years ago in the case of "suspects" detained 
without conviction or even the laying of charges:

"Nothing could be more antithetical to the instincts and conditions 
of the people of the United Kingdom than indefinite detentions 
without charge or trial. The real threat to the life of the nation 
comes not from terrorism but from laws such as these."

Gordon Payne,
Comox.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2007

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