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Human rights groups concerned police will abuse power at G7

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Human rights groups worried police will abuse power at G7
WATCH ABOVE: Human Rights groups Amnesty International Canada Francophone and the League of Rights and Freedoms say they are concerned about how police and protesters will interact during the G7 – Apr 18, 2018

Amnesty International Canada Francophone and La ligues des droits et libertés said Wednesday they are concerned about the security preparations surrounding the upcoming G7 meeting.

In just over a month, seven world leaders will gather at the Manoir Richelieu, located in La Malbaie, in Quebec’s Charlevoix region for a two-day summit on June 8-9.

READ MORE: Charlevoix prepares to host world leaders ahead of G7 summit

Though security will be tight for the event, there will be an area reserved for protesters.

The two organizations say they have requested and received the necessary accreditation to send around 30 observers to watch how police officers and protesters interact.

READ MORE: Trudeau government wants to lift mystery of G7 summit by involving Canadians

“Our main objective for this mission is to protect the violation of human rights and to make sure that we monitor any infringements on [protesters’] rights, such as freedom of expression,” said Geneviève Paul, director general of Amnesty International Canada-Francophone.
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WATCH BELOW: Charlevoix prepares to host world leaders ahead of G7 summit
Click to play video: 'Charlevoix prepares to host world leaders ahead of G7 summit'
Charlevoix prepares to host world leaders ahead of G7 summit

Both groups say they fear this year’s summit will be similar to the Summit of the Americas in 2001, the Montebello Summit in 2007 and the G20 Summit in Toronto in 2010 — where they insist police abused their power and arrested many people.

READ MORE: Taxpayers to shell out $605M for G7 meeting

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“We don’t have any indications that different measures have been taken to ensure that we could protect both the leaders that are coming to Quebec, while at the same time respecting the right to freedom of expression,” said Paul.

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The groups say they have asked to have access to the temporary jail that police are setting up in Clerment, near La Malbaie, so they can monitor the conditions of those arrested.

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They are calling on both the provincial and federal public security ministers, Martin Coiteux and Ralph Goodale, to openly state that freedom of expression is just as important as security.

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