RCMP Asst. Commissioner Mike McDonnell

RCMP Asst. Commissioner Mike McDonnell spoke at UWO Law today.

He talked at great length on the relationship between the RCMP and the legal community.

But he also fielded some tough questions from the audience regarding recent RCMP tactics, including over-breadth towards counter-terrorism, staff shortages and allegations of incompetence, and the use of tasers.

One attendee specifically asked about RCMP complicity in torture in the cases of Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati, and Muayyed Nureddin.  He pointed out that Foreign Affairs official Jonathan Solomon was aware as early as October 2002 of the likelihood of torture, citing pp. 208-209 of the Arar Report,

The RCMP are ready to send their Syrian counterparts a request that Al Malki be asked questions provided by the RCMP, questions relating to other members of his organization. Both ISI and DMSCUS/HOM [Ambassador Pillarella] have pointed out to the RCMP that such questioning may involve torture. The RCMP are aware of this but have nonetheless decided to send their request.
[Emphasis Added]

These three individuals are expected to visit London, Ontario in the coming weeks to relate their story, and the issue of “the other Arars” has become one of interest to the community here.