court-hammer-scales-670
The image shows a judge’s hammer. — File photo

TORONTO: The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled Friday that the country's anti-terror law is constitutional in a series of decisions that affirm how terrorism is defined in the Criminal Code.

The court in a 7-0 ruling rejected constitutional challenges brought by three men, including Momin Khawaja, the first person charged under the anti-terror law that was passed in the wake of the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

Khawaja was convicted of collaborating with a group of Britons in a thwarted 2004 bomb plot in London.

The rulings also upheld the extradition order against Suresh Sriskandarajah and Piratheepan Nadarajah. Both men can now be sent to the US to face charges of supporting the Tamil Tigers, a Sri Lankan group vying to establish an independent ethnic Tamil state, which many have called a terrorist organisation.

US prosecutors allege the two men tried to purchase $1 million worth of guns and rockets for the group.

All three men are Canadian.

The court rejected constitutional challenges brought by the men, dismissing arguments that the anti-terror law was too broad, criminalised harmless activity and violated the charter guarantee of freedom of expression.

The ruling essentially means the anti-terror law contains no rights violations and doesn't have to be changed.

Khawaja's lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, said he was extremely disappointed with the ruling. He said it wouldn't mean an end to the unfair targeting of ethnic or religious groups by authorities.

''There are just too many instances recently where persons have been investigated and prosecuted and where those investigations commenced as a result of political, religious or ideological beliefs,'' he said outside the courtroom.

Khawaja was convicted of training at a remote camp in Pakistan, providing cash to a group of British extremists and building a remote-control detonator.

The court dismissed the argument that the anti-terror law was too broad in its definition of terrorism and could ensnare innocent people.

''Social and professional contact with terrorists — for example, such as occurs in normal interactions with friends and family members — will not, absent the specific intent to enhance the abilities of a terrorist group, permit a conviction,'' the ruling said.

The court also dismissed Khawaja's claim that he was taking part in an armed conflict and should be exempt from being charged under international law. It rejected his contention that he didn't recognise the threat posed by the British terrorist organisation, the Khyam group.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...