Harris calls on MacKay and Prime Minister to come clean on Afghan prisoner abuse

New Democrats work to call witnesses before appropriate parliamentary committees

OTTAWA - In light of developments Wednesday at the Military Policy Complaint Commission’s investigation into the torture of Afghan prisoners, New Democrat Defence Critic Jack Harris held a press conference today seeking answers from Defence Minister Peter McKay and the Prime Minister.

“Peter Mackay and the Prime Minister must come forward and tell Canadians exactly what they knew, and when they knew it. That is the clearest, fastest, and most honest way to proceed,” said Harris.
Yesterday, the affidavit from senior diplomat Richard Colvin was unsealed, revealing that he sent reports as early as May 2006 to senior officials at DFAIT and DND, even copying 79 different people across the government. Mr. Colvin raised serious concerns about the treatment of detainees after transfer deeming it “serious, imminent and alarming.” Peter McKay was Foreign Affairs Minister at the time.
On May 1, 2007, almost a year after Mr. Colvin’s first report was sent, Prime Minister Harper told the House of Commons that there was “no proof confirming the allegations.”
Harris also called on the government to cease interfering in the work of the commission. “I am asking the government to stop putting up roadblocks and to let the MPCC do its work,” said Harris. “
New Democrats are working to have Mr. Colvin, and others whose testimony have been blocked by the government, testify before the appropriate standing committees about what they saw and what they reported.
“Our demand to Mr. Mackay and Mr. Harper is clear: Stop the cover up. Come clean. Let the MPCC and committees do their work.”