STOP THE SECRET TRIALS! - Editorial

(The following article is from the February 16-29, 2008 issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St. Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3).

People's Voice Editorial, Feb. 16-29, 2008

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day calls it the "best anti-terrorist legislation in the world." We call Secret Trials Bill C-3 a terrifying attack on civil rights and democratic freedoms. There's one final chance to block this shameful legislation, by swamping the Senate with opposition urging the "chamber of sober second thought" to refuse approval.

     After being given one year by the Supreme Court to amend the laws governing "security certificate" detainees, the Harper government finally brought in C-3, "new" legislation that will continue secret hearings, two-tier justice, indefinite detention without charge, draconian house arrest, and deportation to torture.

     The House committee "examining" C-3 sent it back to the House of Commons with less than three weeks of study. With virtually no debate, the Commons passed the bill by a vote of 191-76 on Feb. 6, with the support of Conservative and Liberal MPs.

     Now a campaign has begun to mobilize 500 organizations, individuals, unions, and faith-groups across Canada to request appearances before the Senate committee scheduled to discuss the legislation. But the Senate is being pressured by Harper to pass C-3 before Feb. 23, when the old law expires - just two weeks to hold public hearings and first, second, and third readings of the bill.

     In fact, there is no legal obligation for a new law to be in place by Feb. 23. Having the law expire could actually help force the government to charge the detainees and provide them with fair, open public hearings.

     Time is extremely short. We urge readers to send letters on this urgent issue to Adam Thompson, Committee Clerk, Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism, The Senate of Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A4; fax 613-990-1101; email thompa@sen.parl.gc.ca.


Found at: http://www.peoplesvoice.ca/articleprint12/06_STOP_THE_SECRET_TRIALS%21_-_Editorial.html