UN pans anti-terror bill

Photo: The Canadian Press

The United Nations Human Rights Committee is raising concerns about Canada's new anti-terror legislation, saying it could run afoul of the international covenant on civil and political rights.

The committee says it's concerned sweeping powers in the law, known as C-51, do not contain enough legal safeguards to protect people's rights.

The committee says while it appreciates Canada must take steps to protect against terrorism, the government should consider rewriting the law to ensure it complies with the international civil rights agreement.

Problems with C-51 are only part of a list of issues the committee is raising today in releasing a report on how well Canada is meetings its obligations under the civil and political human rights covenant.

The report follows hearings in Geneva earlier this month where the committee heard from a number of high-profile civil rights groups as well as the Canadian government.

On the subject of the anti-terror bill, the government delegation had said it was committed to protecting people's rights while combating terrorism.