Mr. Speaker, six months from September 11, the foundational principles of counterterrorism law and policy bear recall and reaffirmation, particularly in light of the horrific terrorist assaults on civilians in Jerusalem this past weekend.
First, terrorism, the deliberate maiming, murder and terrorizing of innocents, can never be justified. Canada, as the Prime Minister put it, condemns without equivocation this use of terrorist violence for political objectives.
Second, the transnational networks of super-terrorists, with access to weapons of mass destruction, constitute an existential threat to the right to life, liberty and the security of the person.
Third, freedom from acts of terror and freedom of fear of terror constitute a cornerstone from human security.
Fourth, there can be no moral equivalence or similitude between terrorism and counterterrorism.
Fifth, support and sanctuary for groups responsible for terrorism, as the Prime Minister put it, is unacceptable.
Sixth, counterterrorism must always comport with human rights and humanitarian norms.
Canada extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims of terror on this six month anniversary of September 11.