New Democrats call for public inquiry into prisoner torture in Afghanistan

OTTAWA – New Democrats are calling for a public inquiry to investigate allegations that Canadian officials were complicit in the torture of innocent prisoners in Afghanistan. The call for an inquiry follows testimony given yesterday by senior Canadian diplomat Richard Colvin to the House of Commons Afghanistan Committee.

“There are concerns that the government was complicit in torture, in violation of international law, while engaging in a massive cover-up that put our diplomats and soldiers on the ground at risk,” said New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar. “The only way to get to the bottom of Richard Colvin's explosive revelations is a public inquiry.”

Colvin, who was stationed in Afghanistan in 2006, testified that torture was standard operating procedure and that it was likely all Afghan prisoners handed over by Canadian Forces were subjected to torture. Colvin filed multiple reports on prisoner treatment, sending them to more than 70 senior military and government officials. No government action was taken in response to the reports. Colvin also confirmed that he and others were told by senior Canadian government officials to stop putting their concerns in writing.

“From ordering officials to stop documenting information on detainee abuse to gagging witnesses, using delay tactics, and interfering with the Military Police Complaints Commission, this government continues to undermine the investigation into Afghan prisoner abuse,” said New Democrat Defence Critic Jack Harris. “The government has left no other recourse than a public inquiry.”