MacKay denies seeing Afghan torture warnings

[CHIMO]

Defence Minister Peter MacKay says he never saw a Canadian diplomat's warning about possible torture in Afghan prisons.

It was revealed this week that two reports in early 2006 warned the federal government that prisoners turned over by Canadian troops were likely being tortured.

The documents were circulated widely throughout the Foreign Affairs and Defence departments and were shared with senior military commanders in Ottawa and Afghanistan, an affidavit filed with a military watchdog agency said.

Yet when allegations of abuse surfaced in the spring of 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and several cabinet ministers insisted they had received no credible reports from Canadian officials about possible torture.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/mackay-denies-seeing-afghan-torture-warnings/article1325490/

If ministers don't have the authority in their areas, then it is time to give it to parliament. Or some group that has the authority to accept the responsibility.