Globe and Mail: Tories stalling abuse probe, watchdog says

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Thwarted for more than a year by the Conservative government's refusal to co-operate, the independent Military Police Complaints Commission announced yesterday it would hold public hearings to try to force disclosure of documents that will show whether the military knew detainees transferred to Afghan custody were likely to be tortured.

The decision sets the stage for a confrontation between the Harper government and the independent civilian oversight body.

"Ordering a public interest hearing is necessary to ensure a full investigation of the grave allegations raised in this complaint," said Peter Tinsley, chairman of the MPCC.

The government has refused to release uncensored versions of hundreds of pages of documents - many of which are entirely blacked out - although it provided no reasons.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080313.AFGHANDETAINEES13/TPStory/National