February 14, 2014 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:
“Canada is deeply concerned by the Government of Afghanistan’s decision to release 65 detainees from the Parwan Detention Center. Some of these individuals are reported to be directly linked to the deaths of members of the coalition forces and fellow Afghans, including women and children.
“The decision to release these detainees without trying them before Afghan courts, and under Afghan law, is a direct contradiction of the ongoing efforts by the Afghan government and the international community to strengthen the rule of law and bring enduring peace to Afghanistan.
“Canada calls on the Afghan government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the detainees released do not pose a continuing threat to Afghans and members of the international community. Those responsible for acts of terrorism must be brought to justice before courts of law.”
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