Federal gov’t needs to protect citizen rights

Re: The letter to the editor in the July 18 Herald stating our veterans were insulted, well, that is correct, but not for the reasons stated. Rather, it was for the way successive Liberal and Conservative governments sacrificed principle to political expedience, taking away due process, and turned on their own child citizen, violating the basic rights and freedoms guaranteed under both the Canadian Charter of rights and freedoms, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act (2003), which is essential to keeping Canada a free and democratic society, and ensures that government, or anyone acting on its behalf, doesn't take away and/or interfere with those rights unreasonably.

Regardless of the crimes committed, all Canadian citizens are entitled to due process in our courts. When Omar Khadr was detained by the U.S., the Canadian government had the duty to provide guidance and to ensure due process was provided to a citizen who was in distress. Rather, both governments allowed a foreign nation to interrogate with deprivation and physical torture to obtain a confession to suit their own scenario. And this treatment lasted for eight years prior to a trial.

As a 30-year veteran, that is what insults me, that our government would be so callous towards a citizen of Canada, and abuse their rights granted under our country’s charter. It’s time our politicians started to live up to their mandate and that is to serve and protect the people of Canada, regardless of the situation.

George Clarke

Lethbridge