OTTAWA – Liberal MPs are urging Canadians not to pre-judge the case of Suaad Hagi Mohamud based on selective government evidence.
“The government has gone out of its way to paint a negative picture of Ms. Mohamud,” said Liberal Consular Affairs Critic Dan McTeague. “We won’t let them make the same mistake twice, and deny Ms. Mohamud a chance to defend herself before rushing to judgment.”
Yesterday the government filed documents in support of its defense with the court. Ms. Mohamud is suing the government over her treatment by Canadian consular officials in Kenya. Documents suggest that Ms. Mohamud was unable to answer some questions clearly.
Ms. Mohamud’s MP, Joe Volpe, noted that Conservative Ministers Peter Van Loan and Lawrence Cannon have not responded to any of his letters on his constituent or released the CBSA’s initial report concluded she was an imposter.
“Why won’t the government release their CBSA report?” asked Mr. Volpe. “Instead, Ministers Van Loan and Cannon are selectively leaking information to tarnish my constituent’s reputation. Let’s not forget that both Ministers knew about this case well before it broke in national media.”
In May 2009, Ms. Mohamud travelled to Kenya to visit her ailing mother. Following a three month ordeal in which she was called an imposter, her passport and all other Canadian identification was rejected by Canadian officials in Africa, and subjected to a DNA test to conclusively prove who she was, Ms. Mohaumud returned to Canada.
“DNA tests proved that Ms. Mohamud was who she claimed she was. It shouldn’t take the government three months to ascertain who is or isn’t a citizen of our country,” continued Mr. McTeague. “What is critical here is that Ms. Mohamud was stripped of her citizenship by her own country and it took months to right that wrong. This sets a dangerous precedent for other Canadians travelling abroad.
“Not being able to recall the name of Lake Ontario doesn’t make you a criminal. Let’s be fair, a few years ago, the Minister of International Trade couldn’t even tell you which way the Niagara River flowed,” concluded Mr. McTeague.