We All Have a Right to the Truth: Surveillance. Detention. Interrogation. Torture. Justice?

On August 26th, Ottawa's Glebe neighbourhood was the location of an enthusiastic panel discussion regarding the Canadian government's abuse of the civil rights of some of its citizens in the name of security and counter-terrorism precaution. The panel, organized by Octopus Books, was an opportunity for the sharing and consideration of the experiences and activism of its speakers and all in attendance. Speakers: Abdullah Almalki - Canadian citizen who was detained, interrogated and tortured in Syria Yavar Hameed - Human rights lawyer, counsel for Abousfian Abdelrazik Maureen Webb - Human rights lawyer, co-chair of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group and author of "Illusions of Security: Global Surveillance and Democracy in the Post 9/11 World." The panel was followed by a question and answer period. Introductions and closing statements were made by the panel's moderator, Bill Skidmore, who teaches human rights at Carleton University.