Canadian troops stopped handing over detainees to Afghan authorities on Nov. 5, 2007 after learning of a "credible allegation of mistreatment," the federal government quietly revealed this week.
The change became public following a letter from federal lawyers to Amnesty International Canada and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, two groups who are taking the federal government to court in an attempt to stop the transfers indefinitely.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Saturday that Canada will resume handing over detainees once Canadian Forces authorities are confident there is no risk of torture. He also said the government will not give notice when the transfers restart.
The situation has underscored criticism made in a report written by a blue-ribbon panel headed by former Liberal minister John Manley that was tasked with outlining Canada's future policy for its Afghanistan mission.
Manley blasted the government for an "information deficit," saying it failed to communicate enough to Canadians about the mission and that is hurting support for it.
FULL STORY
Do you think the government should have waited to disclose that it has temporarily suspended the transfer of Afghan detainees by Canadian soldiers to local authorities in Afghanistan? Does the delay in letting the public know matter?
More...
The change became public following a letter from federal lawyers to Amnesty International Canada and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, two groups who are taking the federal government to court in an attempt to stop the transfers indefinitely.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Saturday that Canada will resume handing over detainees once Canadian Forces authorities are confident there is no risk of torture. He also said the government will not give notice when the transfers restart.
The situation has underscored criticism made in a report written by a blue-ribbon panel headed by former Liberal minister John Manley that was tasked with outlining Canada's future policy for its Afghanistan mission.
Manley blasted the government for an "information deficit," saying it failed to communicate enough to Canadians about the mission and that is hurting support for it.
FULL STORY
Do you think the government should have waited to disclose that it has temporarily suspended the transfer of Afghan detainees by Canadian soldiers to local authorities in Afghanistan? Does the delay in letting the public know matter?
More...