As Afghan Detainee Debate Rages On, CF Personnel Look Good

An article in Monday's Globe and Mail cites concrete evidence that an Afghan captured by Canadian Forces personnel in 2006 and then handed over to Afghan police was indeed beaten and mistreated. While that is disturbing news, I drew some comfort from the fact that "Canadians intervened and took the detainee back ... Canadian medics then treated the man's injuries." As the article goes on to say, "The incident – and another in which Canadians refused to transfer prisoners threatened with death – suggest Canadian soldiers were well aware of their obligations under the Geneva Convention."

On Friday I just finished a CF course which described the many changes in ethics, leadership and accountability made by the Forces since the Somalia affair in 1993. Today's G&M article seems to confirm that positive changes in the military culture have indeed occurred.