Canada needs to rethink hostage policy

Extremists who beheaded two Canadians in the Philippines this week freed a Norwegian for whom a ransom was paid.

Justice Frank Iacobucci, pictured speaking to reporters in 2008, wrote in a report into the treatment of three Canadians unlawfully detained and tortured: 'Several witnesses from both CSIS and the RCMP, told the inquiry that it was not the responsibility of intelligence or law enforcement officials to be concerned about the human rights of a Canadian detainee, which were for [the foreign ministry] alone to consider. This approach, is not, in my opinion, satisfactory.'The Hill Times photograph by Cynthia Münster

Opinion

BY GAR PARDY

September 21, 2016

OTTAWA—Last Saturday, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad was freed by Abu Sayyaf after nearly a year of captivity in the southern Philippines. A ransom was paid but by who remains vague. Mr. Sekkingstad was kidnapped on Sept. 21, 2015 along with Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and Filipino Mari...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy