Civil Liberties Group Releases their Best and Worst for the Year
HOTTIES:
The Portland Hotel Society & the Vancouver Network of Drug Users
For bringing on the case that gave North America’s first legal supervised injection site constitutional protection from prosecution under narcotics laws.
Peter Tinsley, Chair of the Military Police Complaint Commission
For ordering a full hearing into the military transfer of Afghan detainees at risk of torture – the first hearing of its kind since the Somalia incident.
Vancouver’s New City Council
For promising to give the heave-ho to Project Civil City and a bye-bye to public funding of private security guards in public space.
Jack and Judy Aasen
Victims of an outrageous SLAPP suit, the Aasens defended themselves against a defamation claim by a private utilities owner who was involved in a dispute with several Vernon residents about utility rates. The Aasens won at the initial hearing and then got re-SLAPPed with an appeal which found that statements made by Jack in his own home that were secretly recorded by a private detective hired by the utilities owner to entrap the Aasens were defamatory. We salute the Aasens for fighting the good fight against libel chill (for who we do not salute, see “Naughty Number 2”).
Province of Manitoba
For instituting civilian investigation of police incidents in cases of in-custody death or serious injury. Here’s hoping BC gets inspired.
Victoria’s Tent City
For initiating the case that brought us the landmark legal ruling that struck down a bylaw preventing homeless people from erecting temporary shelters.
NAUGHTIES:
The BC Government – Election Gag Laws
For trying to gag all the little people who might want to exercise their free speech rights during an election period. Citizen-muzzling certainly quiets things down but it’s no way to run a democracy, folks.
Wally Oppal, BC Attorney General
Who says the government has no plans to change the laws to protect people like the Aasens against outrageous lawsuits designed to chill free speech on matters of public importance. Shame on you.
BC Transit Police
First, the tasering of fare-evaders and now, proposed police dogs on skytrains. Way to go winning those hearts and minds…
The RCMP
For the appalling and unforgivable campaign of character assassination attempts against Polish immigrant, Robert Dziekanski, who died at YVR after being repeatedly tasered by RCMP officers.
VANOC
For the Mega-Bucks Censorship manoeuvre of purchasing all the outdoor advertising spaces in Vancouver for the duration of the Games so that no one can get out any anti-Olympics messaging. Because speech isn’t free when you buy it all.
The Federal Government
Trying to justify introducing invasive and sweeping police search practices under a secret “trade” agreement? Continuing to transfer Afghan detainees to Afghan authorities despite the high probability of torture? Trying to impose mandatory minimum sentencing for non-violent drug offenders? Failing to implement the recommendations of the Arar Commission? Oh gosh, it’s like a box of assorted chocolates: so many choices and so hard to pick just one…
MEDIA CONTACTS
Robert Holmes, President
604-681-1310
Micheal Vonn, Policy Director
604-630-9753 or 604-687-6001
