Ottawa expected UN pressure on anti-torture policy

The Canadian Press

Posted: Nov 12, 2012 5:43 PM ET

Last Updated: Nov 12, 2012 7:25 PM ET

Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson was advised by officials earlier this year to expect pressure from the UN Committee Against Torture. (Pawel Dwulit/The Canadian Press)

Newly released memos show Canada fully expected the intense grilling it got from a United Nations committee earlier this year about its international obligations to shun torture and other cruel treatment.

Officials quietly advised Justice Minister Rob Nicholson the committee would "likely press Canada" on issues ranging from prison overcrowding to redress for people subjected to torture abroad.

The federal government was also prepared to defend its refusal to arrest former U.S. leaders George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for alleged war crimes.

In late May, a Canadian delegation presented Canada's latest report on compliance with the UN Convention Against Torture.

Advisers also provided the minister with copies of the numerous talking points intended to help the delegation defend Canada's interests.

The committee later issued a report criticizing several aspects of Canada's legal regime, including planned measures affecting refugee claimants and the continuing use of national security certificates to deport non-citizens.

Stay Connected with CBC News

Big Box Advertisement

Power & Politics' Ballot Box question by Rosemary Barton May. 17, 2013 3:52 PM Should Mike Duffy give up his Senate seat?

Top News Headlines

Afghan legislators block law protecting women

Afghan legislators block law protecting women: An Afghan legislator says conservative lawmakers have blocked approval of a law that aims to protect women's freedoms, saying parts of it violate Islamic principles. more »

WHO concerned coronavirus spreading person to person: The World Health Organization has issued a blunt assessment of the coronavirus outbreak in Saudi Arabia, acknowledging for the first time that there are concerns the virus may be spreading from person to person, at least in a limited way. more »
Senator Pamela Wallin leaves Conservative caucus: Senator Pamela Wallin says she is recusing herself from the Conservative caucus while her travel expense claims are under scrutiny. Wallin's departure comes one day after Senator Mike Duffy left the Tory caucus amid controversy over his expense claims. more »
Toronto mayor cancels weekly radio show: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will not be hosting his weekly radio show this weekend after explosive allegations that he was recorded on video appearing to smoke crack cocaine. more »
Body found after fishing boat capsizes off New Brunswick: A man's body has been found after a lobster fishing boat capsized off the eastern coast of New Brunswick. more »

Must Watch

Latest Politics News Headlines

Questions mount for Harper, chief of staff, in Senate scandal

Questions mount for Harper, chief of staff, in Senate scandal: The NDP is calling for an independent investigation into the $90,000 Nigel Wright, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's chief of staff, gave Conservative Senator Mike Duffy as a gift to repay his ineligible expenses. more »

Senator Pamela Wallin leaves Conservative caucus: Senator Pamela Wallin says she is recusing herself from the Conservative caucus while her travel expense claims are under scrutiny. Wallin's departure comes one day after Senator Mike Duffy left the Tory caucus amid controversy over his expense claims. more »
First Nations schools report points to education gap: First Nations' schools have lower quality teaching, an inferior curriculum and fail to provide proper services for children with special needs — and without further investment these problems could worsen with an expected population spike on reserves, a new federal report warns. more »
Duffy's Senate expenses may get 2nd look from auditors: Senator Mike Duffy's expenses may get a second review by independent auditors following media reports regarding expenses he claimed while campaigning for Conservative candidates during the last election. more »
Chris Hall: Senator Duffy and the little matter of accountability: A $90,000 'gift' from Stephen Harper's chief of staff to Mike Duffy didn't fix the political problem over the senator's questionable expenses, Chris Hall writes. It just made matters worse and opens the door to questions about prime ministerial accountability. more »

More Headlines »

The National

The House

Questions mount for Harper and chief of staff Nigel Wright in Senate scandal May. 18, 2013 1:15 PM This week on The House, with Senators Wallin and Duffy now out of the Conservative caucus, we get reaction from NDP Ethics critic Charlie Angus. We also hear directly from Senator Patrick Brazeau who says the Conservatives have thrown him under the bus. Plus we speak with B.C. Premier Christy Clark after her stunning victory.