RCMP, federal border agency allowed to use information extracted through torture

The Conservative government has given the RCMP and the federal border agency the right to use information likely obtained through torture.

According to the Globe and Mail, newly disclosed records show Public Safety Minister Vic Toews quietly released the directives not long after giving similar instructions to CSIS.

The directives given to CSIS were criticized last summer by human rights advocates and opposition MPs.

They considered it a violation of Canada's international obligations to prevent the torture of prisoners.

The directives state the protection of life and property as main considerations when deciding on the use of information likely extracted through torture.

It adds that in exceptional circumstances, ignoring information because of its source would represent  a risk to public safety.

There are also instructions for deciding whether to share information when there is a substantial risk of future torture.

The directives maintain that terrorism is a national priority and the RCMP and the federal border agency must maintain strong relationships with foreign countries and share information with them.

The disclosed documents come six years after a federal commission of inquiry recommended that information never be shared with a foreign country where there is a risk that it will cause the use of torture.