Your editorial (Rights, And Then What? -- April 18) asks very serious questions about what needs to be done with terrorist suspects. Implying that each suspect's guilt is a forgone conclusion (once in the editorial you referred to suspects as terrorists) makes your argument sound very reasonable. Given the choice between release and deportation of "terrorists," Canadians would rather see them deported, of course. Glaringly and surprisingly, you omit to consider the third and most sound option: Charge them.
The executive's authority is checked and balanced with a supposedly sober and unbiased legal system. That is what Human Rights Watch is calling for. What you are advocating is the suspension of this process and granting the executive (security agencies) unlimited powers.
The combination of racial profiling, self-absorbed security agents, public fear and a handicapped judicial-review process has already led to many grave errors that have destroyed lives. The case of Maher Arar is an obvious example.
Canadian Arabs and Muslims are very interested in preserving Canada's security. So when given the choice, we want our government to charge terrorist suspects, not to hold them indefinitely, regardless of their citizenship.