Impartial observers may be allowed to monitor interactions between police and protesters behind police lines during the G-8 summit.
Summit security representatives are working with the Alberta Civil Liberties Association and Amnesty International to finalize details of an independent observer program, said Const. Max Johann, a G-8 security spokesman.
"It's still in the organizational stage, but we fully support the idea," said Al Redford, a G-8 security spokesman and inspector with the Calgary Police Service.
Monitors will be accredited and granted access to security areas and detention facilities, said Johann.
"They are permitted behind police lines during any confrontations which may occur to observe and report on the actions of both police and activists," he said.
The goal is to have 12 monitors with the special access and more who will observe but cannot enter restricted areas, said Stephen Jenuth, president of the ACLA. Monitors will prepare reports for public release a few weeks after the summit and will also be able to comment during the event if necessary.
The selection of impartial observers is the program's critical component.
"Groups such as Amnesty International and the Alberta Civil Liberties Association are able to provide independent observation that is accepted by both activists and the police," said Johann.
Some of the observers selected will be sympathetic to activists, some to the police, Jenuth said, but they have been screened to ensure their commitment to the role of independent observer.
"We're out there to provide an impartial assessment, not to provide evidence for either the security forces or the activists," said Jenuth.
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