Just Like His Ministers, Stephen Harper Fails Brenda Martin
robert...@aol.com
March 20, 2008
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper must demonstrate that he is
willing to fight for Canadian citizens by demanding action on the
Brenda Martin case, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion and Liberal Consular
Affairs Critic Dan McTeague said today.
"The Harper government has been far too passive in handling this
case," said Mr. Dion. "It is my hope that the visit by Conservative
MPs Jason Kenney and Rick Norlock was not simply a photo-op to limit
the political damage to Conservatives from public outrage over Brenda
Martin's predicament. It's time for this government to show some
leadership and demand action on this file," he said.
Mr. McTeague pointed out that the Mexican Embassy's press release on
Monday's phone call says it was President Calderon who called Prime
Minister Harper, not the other way around, as Mr. Harper has
suggested. In fact, the call had been previously scheduled.
"The embassy states the call's main purpose was to exchange points of
view and coordinate strategies for the upcoming North American
Leader's Summit. The press release included a vague reference to a
discussion on progress in the treatment of consular affairs that has
taken place in the bilateral relationship, given the substantial
increase in the number of visitors traveling between the two
countries. It acknowledges the work carried out through the Early
Alert Group in some highly visible consular cases to improve the
quality of attention provided. There is no mention at all of them
discussing Brenda Martin," said Mr. McTeague.
The Prime Minister's Office has declined to confirm if Mr. Harper did
indeed raise Ms. Martin's case. This leaves Canadians questioning the
true level of Mr. Harper's personal involvement in this matter and in
bringing Ms. Martin's case front and centre to the Mexican president.
Mr. McTeague described the entire affair as a travesty of justice that
has led to a Canadian citizen being imprisoned for two years without
being afforded fundamental and internationally-recognized legal
rights.
"Mr. Kenny has joined the growing list of Conservatives who have
repeatedly dashed the hopes Ms. Martin had about being released. If
there was no public outrage over this case, the Conservatives wouldn't
even be trying to cover up their inaction and incompetence - they
would merely continue to ignore her as they have for almost two
years," he said.
Mr. Dion said that the Prime Minister's excuse that he can not
intervene on her behalf is ridiculous.
"How, then, can he say that Canada will intervene with Saudi Arabia to
spare the life of Mr. Kohail? How is it also possible for Canada to
have legal assistance treaties with other countries - including
Mexico?" he said.
"There are many examples where states can and do stand up for their
citizens. When will Mr. Harper finally stand up for Brenda Martin?"
GaryRock
<robert...@aol.com> wrote in message
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Canuck57
The Mexican government should openly in the news warn Canadian politicians
that this is none of their business to interfere in their system, and any
such action on a dumb assed meddlesome MP might land them in jail. Then
they can have a very long chat.
<robert...@aol.com> wrote in message
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