I always thought the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) was only present in countries were democracy was an issue and where citizens’ rights were not being protected… But not in Canada I thought!

But it seems Canada is also under investigation! I heard on the news a few nights ago about a report by the UNHRC. Here’s a bit taken from their official website:
“Right to freedom of opinion and expression,
right of peaceful assembly (arts. 19 and 21)
18. According to some information, police forces, in particular in Montreal, have resorted to massive preventive arrests of demonstrators. It is alleged that between 1999 and 2003, about 1,700 persons were arrested and detained in relation to involvement in political activities.”

Tonight I found an article in the Gazette saying the Montreal Police Service rejects the UN criticism.

A list of the different demonstration arrests can be found in this French article.

So… Is the Montreal police really infringing on the right to demonstrate? Or are they simply doing their job?

Related posts:

1. Molotovs in Mile End
2. Tumultuous times.
3. Mailman
4. Montreal metro information easily accessible
5. Don’t Stand So Close to Me