Update on Canada's role in Afghanistan

Prime Minister Sephen Harper has prorogued parliament for a second year in a row. His reason this time is to start the year off with a clean slate, getting rid of any bills already in progress. The issue of most unsettling concern had been Canada's responsibility for detainee abuse in Afghanistan.

The Human Rights Watch publication for Nov. 27, 2009, urges that Canada create a public inquiry into the alleged torture of detainees transferred to the Afghan government in 2006 - 07.

Senior Canadian diplomat Richard Colvin, formerly based in Afghanistan in 2006 - 07, reported to a House of Commons committee that Canadian forces' prisoners transferred to Afghan custody were likely tortured.

A 2009 Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) report, based on information from 2006 - 07, found Afghan prisons using slapping, punching, kicking, humiliation, cable flogging and electric shock as forms of torture. The punishment sometimes led to unconsciousness and death.

Under the 1987 ratification of the Convention Against Torture, Canada is obligated to prevent, investigate, prosecute and punish its nationals who are complicit in torture.

Colvin testified he had provided senior Canadian government officials with ample information on detainee abuse but his warnings were ignored. In pursuing the matter Colvin was instructed to be quiet and do what he was told.

The Canadian government seems content to criticise the messenger rather than looking at the alleged issue of complicity in detainee abuse.

Provisions of humane treatment in the Canadian-Afghan memorandum of understanding (MoU) which represents detainee transfers is inefffective. Under the MoU, Canada is required to monitor the safety of detainees it hands over to the Afghan government.

Instead Canada leaves the responsibility to the AIHRC and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Well aware that these agencies don't have full access to all Afghan detention facilities.

The unresolved detainee transfer allegations also contradict Canada's mission in Afghanistan to rebuild education and help restore its culture.

Last year the Toronto Star reported on Canada's continued commitment of $90 million to build or renovate 50 schools in Kandahar province. Under the deadline of 2011, only five schools have been opened with a mere 25 in the planning or construction stage.

Reconstruction of bombed community dwellings involves Canadian soldiers sitting in on meetings with the victimized citizens and community elders. The Canadian military then hands cash to the elder who gives it to the disadvantaged citizen. This is not interacting for positive change in the community.