Originally posted by Wrinkly
I'm inclined to agree with this guy - quoted from the comments on the link:
Human Rights? says:
September 27, 2010 at 5:17 am
…Interesting how everyone blames the couple for standing up for what used to be considered proper values. I have the right to refuse a stupid question. I have the right not to be treated like a criminal when I have committed no crime. I have the right not to be subjected to an unreasonable search.
Also important to note is that the officer is incorrect when he suggests that assault takes place when the individual pulls their arm away from the officer – a person has a right to self defence (in the form of reasonable and proportionate force) when assaulted by another individual (in this case, the officer is the one assaulting the man on the tape).
This of course depends on what legislation governs their occupation….perhaps physical assault (i.e. unwanted touch) with no reasonable or probable grounds is legal in the USA. But what reasonable person would defend that? Apparently, quite a few of you.
It is irrelevant whether he is a ‘jerk’ or not – the reality is that being a ‘jerk’ ought not to strip a person of their Charter rights. Note that this comment is coming from someone who actually does work with law enforcement, in that I cross examine them on the stand on a reasonably regular basis.
While I am quite tired of law enforcement officers abusing their powers, I am also quite frankly SICK to my stomach to hear people JUSTIFY and DEFEND this sort of behavior. The reality is that the conduct of border officials is unncessary, ridiculous, and offensive.
EDIT: relevant read - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights from the UN (of which, both the USA and Canada are members):
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/