Never Cry Wolf

University of Ottawa professor Amir Attaran has made some very strong non-allegations this week, publicly speculating about the possibility of Canadian Forces members mistreating Afghan detainees.

It is important to note that Attaran has not actually alleged mistreatment on the part of Canadian soldiers. He has only alleged at best by insinuation. He has virtually no evidence to suggest that anything other than reasonable force in the course of detention was used on detainees. Furthermore, he has alleged that, although there is no evidence of mistreatment, that the military police failed to investigate.

Attaran has vey little situational awareness of this issue. He is basing non-allegations on partial documents. He seems to be unaware that when people resist detention, they tend to get a little banged up. Soldiers detaining people in Afghanistan have to worry about a lot of things that police in Canada do not. For example, nobody in Canada has ever blown themselves up deliberately with an explosive belt strapped to their chest while being arrested. Canadian Forces soldiers are highly trained, well-briefed on rules of engagement, and very disciplined.

I would also suggest, crassly, that there is no comparison between a few bruises, and what the freedom fighting islamicists tend to do with their "detainees" (I don't need to link this comment to a beheading video, do I.).

Although Attaran is obviously alarmist and probably crying wolf, the CF needs to do due diligence, take seriously the non-allegation, and investigate. This of course reflects very badly in the news cycle, because all you hear is Attaran and the news of internal military investigations.

Those who cry wolf risk losing whatever credibility they pretend to have. The public won't be fooled twice.