Just for records before I accused: I'm totally against terrorism. Never!
I appreciate the efforts the garnment has done to try and restore some sense of security in our country. Including being told by the prezo that it is our responsibility
I want to point out also that we have seen most people arrested and later released without charges after many days in custody. These arrests have been seen as "
...targeting some people for harassment and illegal arrests and detention."
I'm going to give you a glimpse of the magnitude of this bill if adopted, in context of what has happened in other countries, e.g. the US.
1. ...Provisions giving government powers to detain "suspects" for days without charge.
2. ...bypassing the normal rules of evidence under the constitution, allowing some bodies of garment to operate in secret.
3. ...official secrecy surrounding the detentions. We have heard of grave plight of these detainees.
- denial of access to legal Counsel
- denial of access to relatives,
- physical and verbal abuse
- cruel conditions of confinement including prolonged solitary confinement,
- inadequate exercise and the wearing of shackles during non-contact visits.
- blanket denial of bail
4. Presumption of Guilt, on basis of mere suspicion of involvement in terrorism, in violation of fair trial standards.
5. Unfair treatment of the detainees, human rights abuse of the detainees
6. Lies by the governments that the war on terror is not a war on some people. But the truth of the matter is that most of the victims of this war on terror are mostly certain people, be they individuals, institutions or organizations have reduced the said statement to a mere rhetoric.
So to me, it remains to be seen whether those involved in the war on terror can overcome their suspicion or mistrust of others and turn them into partners in the war on terror.
NOTE:
Sorry for those who complain about my long post. Read it, or skip it.