OTTAWA (Oct. 18, 2010) - The Canadian Association of Journalists is adding its voice to the chorus of those saying an Ontario Justice of the Peace's bail conditions go too far.
The bail conditions set by Justice of the Peace Inderpaul Chandhoke on Alex Hundert, an alleged ringleader of G20 protests in June, include a ban on taking part in, organizing or attending any public event where political views are expressed. Included in the bail conditions is also a ban on speaking to the media while Hundert is out on bail awaiting the continuation of his court hearings on three charges of conspiracy.
"Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including the freedom of the press, are fundamental constitutional rights," CAJ president Mary Agnes Welch said. "While having some rights restricted while on bail is a reasonable expectation, for the court to strip Mr. Hundert of these particular rights while on bail sets a dangerous precedent that should concern all Canadians."
The CAJ is concerned these bail conditions could be requested by the Crown in other cases and end up being copied by other Justices of the Peace, leading to a pattern where one of our most important freedoms as set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is eroded, one judgment at a time.
The CAJ is Canada's largest professional organization for journalists from all media, representing about 800 members across Canada. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide high-quality professional development for members and public-interest advocacy.
I strongly disagree. Persons like this use these oportunities to spew more hate and stir up conflict .They think that somehow, they can jujstify thier criminal actions in a public forum. These people should not be givien a voice or opportunity to creat the type of anarchy that was created by these idiots who felt that a voice for change included rioting , buring and destroying property . As of yet, not on eperson was able to articulate in any way what was accomplished by destroying everything in sight, burning cars and destroying the livelyhoods of person who owned / worked in these places of business. No , all these rioters are / were , were opportunists who took advantage of an event to purposfully and in a premeditated fashion, destroy anything and everything in sight. If they want a voice, let them talk till the cows come home in prison..... where they belong.
http://wmtc.blogspot.com/2010/05/harper-govt-pays-trolls-to-spread.html
http://www.propagandamatrix.com/articles/may2010/052410_troll_forums.htm
Indeed. They not only stifle free speech, but pay people to sway opinions on internet forums such as this one. How can people tolerate a government which feels it has a right to control the media & stifle people's right to protest & free speech?? Indeed, this person defending the actions of the government & police here, which are totally violating human rights - how am I not to suspect that this person simply isn't being paid by the government to spout off this hysteric nonsense??
I have been following this story for a while, and I am very concerned about the erosion of human rights in Canada. Of course everyone deplores the wanton destruction of property that occurred during the G20 event, but there is no proof that this man had anything to do with that faction - indeed, I believe he was arrested pre-emptively and was not even at the demonstrations. I am very glad that the Canadian Association of Journalists has added their voice to this discussion. We must be vigilant and keep these situations in public view, or rulings such as these will become precedents and the police/government will become further emboldened in their attempts to quash all dissent in this country.
sorry about the duplicate post
In reply to the first comment, free speach as well as all our other freedoms comes with the great responsability to ensure that we conduct ourselves in accordance with the laws of the land , the very same laws that we asked our elected officals to enact. Secondly, with respects to these freedoms we enjoy, one thing needs to be made very clear. the right to freedom of peaceful protest is concerned, simply FACT is, the second the event was no longer peacefull , it was no longer a lawful event and the police had every right to break it up.
With respects to the second post, the press are not exactly the most stellar of people when it comes to fairness either. The pres are known , always have been , for slanting a story for no reason other than to sensationalize the story so as to distort the truth in order to slant it towards what ever aganda they have in mind , or whatever message THEY wish to convey. The old adige ( sp ) don't let facts get in the way of a good story holds too true far too often . Yes , we have very good and very fair reporters who really do want to get the REAL story out there but far too often, the whole story is edited in one way shape or form to slant it so as to seemingly give only ONE side .
Lastly ,to the person suggesting that I am a government staff person, WRONG. I am indeed a university student who was there and saw first hand what tookmplace , and what did NOT take place, My 2300 plus images and video's not only prove it but go well beyond leaving any room to doubt who was the REAL problem here.I saw the police acting in a HIGHLY professional maner, respectful of everyone , accomodating when needed to be and always helpful . I saw several persons getting arrested , but NOT once , and I mean NOT ONCE did I see what was even remotely resembling anything aggressive by the police... except during those times they themselv es were under attack. Even then, they acted with great restraint. Once the inquiery gets underway, I will take great delight in using my images and videos to quash the so called "facts " these rioters said took place. These rioters are nothing more than urban terrosists. its high time we treated them as such.
As a final comment on overall rights and freedoms, I for one take them VERY seriously. I had the great honour for a number of years to wear a uniform in the service of my country , as did many ten of thousands before me . Like these brave persons today, this is a duty and responsability unlike anything one can ever ingame or even comprehend . it is persons who wore / wear the uniform that we as citizens are en joying what rights and freedoms we have . We are riding on THIER backs , we ask them to lay thier lives on the line for us . the very least we can do is show our respect for these brave persons. Until you ( you being used in the general sence here ) had the honour of wearing a uniform and serving your country, please , dont tell me or others like me about rights a freedoms because you have NOT had toput your life on the line to allow us to have them .