Military directives limit use of information acquired through torture

New directives issued to the Canadian military and Canada’s super-secret electronic surveillance agency limit — but don’t completely ban — the use of information likely acquired by foreign governments through torture.

The instructions from Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan allow the Canadian Forces and Communications Security Establishment Canada use such information if it is necessary to prevent loss of life or significant injury.

The directives specifically cite an impending terrorist attack as one scenario in which such information could be used, but officials acknowledge a potential attack on Canadian soldiers in the field could also qualify.

The military and CSE are forbidden from sharing information with a foreign government or agency, or asking for information, if there is a substantial risk that doing so would cause someone to be tortured or abused.

The directives are largely the same as those issued in September by Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Several human rights groups and the federal NDP criticized Goodale’s instructions, saying they effectively condoned torture and flouted Canada’s international obligations.