Canada Interrogates 95-Year-Old UN Investigator of Israeli-Palestinian Abuses

Canadian human rights activists are demanding answers from their government after a former United Nations special rapporteur who investigated Israeli abuses against Palestinians was interrogated at the Canadian border on national security grounds. Richard Falk, 95, was stopped at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Thursday and questioned for several hours. He said a security official told him that Canada had concerns that he and his wife, fellow legal scholar Hilal Elver, posed a danger to the national security of Canada. Falk, a prominent critic of Israel's policies in the occupied territories, expressed outrage over the treatment he and his wife received. "It was a very intimidating and hostile experience," he said in an interview. "They were questioning me about my views on Israel and Palestine, and my wife was questioned about her views as well." Falk added that he was not given any explanation for the reasons behind the interrogation. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and activists in Canada, who are calling for an explanation from the Canadian government. "This is a clear case of intimidation and harassment of a human rights defender," said Amira Elghobashy, a spokesperson for the Canadian chapter of Amnesty International. "We urge the government to provide a clear explanation for the reasons behind the interrogation and to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future." The treatment of Falk and his wife has also been criticized by international organizations, including the United Nations. "The United Nations is concerned about the treatment of human rights defenders, including former UN special rapporteurs," said a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "We urge all countries to respect the rights of human rights defenders and to ensure that they are not intimidated or harassed for their views." Falk's interrogation comes at a time of heightened tensions between Canada and the Palestinian community. In June, Canadian protesters marched in Toronto in support of Palestinians during the war on Gaza. The incident has also sparked debate about Canada's relationship with Israel and its role in the Middle East peace process. The Canadian government has yet to comment on the incident, but officials have promised to provide a response in the coming days. Falk and his wife have announced that they will not be commenting further on the incident until they receive a satisfactory explanation from the government. In the meantime, human rights activists and organizations are continuing to call for answers and accountability from the Canadian government. "We will not be silenced or intimidated," said Elghobashy. "We will continue to speak out against human rights abuses and to demand justice and accountability for those who have been harmed."