Meaning: The quote "There is nothing more foreign to a civilised and democratic system than preventive detention" is attributed to Robert Bourassa, a Canadian politician who served as the 22nd Premier of Quebec. This statement encapsulates a fundamental principle of democratic governance, which is the protection of individual liberties and rights against arbitrary or unjustified deprivation of freedom.

Preventive detention refers to the practice of detaining individuals without trial or formal charges based on the suspicion that they may commit a future offense. This concept stands in stark contrast to the principles of due process and the presumption of innocence that are foundational to civilised and democratic societies. Instead of holding individuals accountable for specific criminal actions through fair and transparent legal proceedings, preventive detention allows authorities to curtail individual freedom based on conjecture or anticipation of potential wrongdoing.

In the context of a civilised and democratic system, the notion of preventive detention raises significant concerns regarding the abuse of power, violation of human rights, and erosion of the rule of law. It undermines the principles of justice and fairness by depriving individuals of their liberty without affording them the opportunity to defend themselves or challenge the basis of their detention through legal means. Consequently, preventive detention poses a direct threat to the fundamental freedoms and rights that are essential to the functioning of a democratic society.

Bourassa's assertion reflects a commitment to upholding the values of individual autonomy, legal protection, and the presumption of innocence within the framework of a civilised and democratic system. It underscores the imperative of safeguarding the rights of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, and ensuring that the state's power to detain is exercised judiciously and in accordance with the principles of justice and human dignity. Moreover, by characterising preventive detention as "foreign" to civilised and democratic systems, Bourassa emphasizes its incongruence with the fundamental tenets of a just and equitable society.

The quote serves as a reminder of the enduring struggle to balance the imperative of public safety with the preservation of individual liberties in the context of democratic governance. While acknowledging the legitimate concerns around security and crime prevention, the assertion underscores the necessity of pursuing alternative, rights-respecting approaches to addressing these challenges. It calls attention to the importance of developing and implementing policies and strategies that prioritise the protection of civil liberties while also effectively addressing public safety concerns.

In contemporary discourse, the quote continues to resonate as a poignant admonition against the expansion of state power at the expense of individual freedoms. It serves as a rallying cry for advocates of human rights, civil liberties, and due process, urging them to remain vigilant against encroachments on the rights of individuals in the name of security or law enforcement. Moreover, it underscores the responsibility of citizens, lawmakers, and institutions to uphold the principles of justice and democracy by rejecting measures that undermine the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals.

In conclusion, Robert Bourassa's quote encapsulates a profound truth about the incompatibility of preventive detention with the principles of a civilised and democratic system. It stands as a testament to the enduring struggle to uphold individual liberties and human rights in the face of challenges to public safety and security. By invoking this assertion, we are reminded of the imperative to safeguard the rule of law, due process, and the presumption of innocence as indispensable cornerstones of a just and equitable society.