OTTAWA, Feb. 23 The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Friday that the procedure used to deport suspected terrorists is unconstitutional. The court ruled unanimously that detainees under security certificates have the right under Canada's constitution to know the evidence against them and to provide a defense, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported. The justices gave Parliament a year to revise the system, but they said detainees have the right immediately to a bail hearing within 48 hours of detention.
The opinion acknowledged that the country has the right to protect itself from terrorism.
While there is a risk of catastrophic acts of violence, it would be foolhardy to require a lengthy review process before a certificate should be issued, the court said. Peter Van Loan, the Conservative Party leader in the House of Commons, said he is confident Parliament can balance Canada's security needs with fairness to detainees, and design a process that will satisfy the court.
Poster Comment:
Now that all the prominent anti-Shemites have been ID'd and thrown in foreign jails...Tikkun Olam !