Lawyer says Canadian refused passport in Sudan

A Canadian stranded in Sudan was supposed to fly home today after the federal government had assured him he would be issued an emergency passport and allowed back in the country. But at the last minute he was denied and told he was considered a security risk.

CTV Newsnet: Paul Champ, lawyer for Abdelrazik, on his client's setbacks

A Canadian man who has been stranded in Sudan for six years will not return home Friday because the federal government has refused to issue him an emergency passport.

Power Play: MP's debate Abdelrazik's status and whether he should be brought back to Canada

Government officials question why Abousfian Abdelrazik is considered a threat to Canadian security and whether he should be allowed back to Canada.

CTV Newsnet: Paul Dewar, NDP foreign affairs critic, comments on the controversial case of a Canadian man in Sudan

The NDP foreign affairs critic explains why he is criticizing the federal government decision to deny an emergency passport to a Canadian man stranded in Sudan for the last six years.

Canada AM: Amir Attaran, University of Ottawa, with reaction to the developing story

A university professor reacts to the suspense in Sudan about whether or not an exiled Canadian is on his way home Friday or still stranded in the war-torn country.

CTV National News: Rosemary Thompson on the stranded Canadian

For the last 11 months, Abous-Fian Abdel-Razik of Montreal has lived in the lobby of the Canadian embassy in Sudan. Stuck in a kind of no-man's land without a passport, he is pleading with the Canadian government to get him the documents he needs to get home.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Fri. Apr. 3 2009 9:21 PM ET

A Canadian man who has been stranded in Sudan for six years did not return home on Friday because the federal government has refused to issue him an emergency passport.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon told reporters Friday that Abousfian Abdelrazik's passport had been denied "on the basis of national security."

Cannon declined to give further details on the matter.

But Abdelrazik's supporters say the government is denying a Canadian citizen his rights.

NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar went a step further on Friday and accused the government of changing its position on the file.

"We were hoping that Mr. Abdelrazik would be on his way home today," Dewar told CTV's Power Play.

Dewar added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last year it would supply Abdelrazik with travel documents if he was able to secure a plane ticket home.

However, despite the fact that 170 Canadian supporters chipped in to buy Abdelrazik a ticket, the government still hasn't supplied the documents.

"The government, basically, broke it's word," said Dewar.

However, Deepak Obhari, Cannon's parliamentary secretary, said Abdelrazik can't fly home until he is removed from a United Nations no-fly list.

"So that creates a very serious problem for us (in) a legal aspect," said Obhari.

Canadian authorities seized Abdelrazik's previous passport, leaving him in legal limbo.

On Thursday, Abdelrazik spoke publicly about his situation for the first time, in hopes of pressuring the government into getting him back to Canadian soil.

"For six years I have tried to go back home to my children, but the Canadian government took my old passport and will not give me another one," Abdelrazik said in a statement released by his lawyers.

He also said that despite what has been said about him, he is not a criminal.

"I am a Muslim and I pray to my God but this does not make me a terrorist or a criminal," he said.

Stuck in Sudan

Abdelrazik has been in Sudan since 2003, when he was arrested after travelling to the country to visit his sick mother.

A recent report has suggested that it was CSIS who asked for him to be detained by Sudanese authorities in 2003. Back then, authorities claimed Abdelrazik held ties to Osama bin Laden.

After he was arrested, investigators could find no evidence of criminal activities on Abdelrazik's part and he was set free and did not face any charges.

Those findings were later confirmed by the RCMP, though the Canadian government still considers him to be a security risk.

Abdelrazik has said he was tortured when he was detained in Sudan.

He eventually ended up seeking shelter at the Canadian embassy in Khartoum, where he has lived for the past year.

Embassy staff are providing him with food and he is sleeping on a cot in the building's gym.

He has held Canadian citizenship since 1995.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Niger Myles
said

My condolences, he's going very soon.

Scott Brubacher
said

Canadian tax payers should not be on the hook to pay legal expenses to fight self serving immigration lawyers fighting for his defence. This fellow should be asking what he can do for Canada , not what Canada can do for him!

David sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
said

Forgive my ignorance but does a canadian need a passport to get into canada?? Does a canadian need a passport to get out of sudan??
My final question is exactly how canadian is this guy??

Linda in Vancouver
said

This may seem like a stupid question,but,if this all started 6 years ago,how is it that it's all the fault of Mr.Harper?? I have to think the Liberals are being less than honest about their role in this.
How Canadian is this guy? I wonder if anyone knows.Is he like the people that were living in Lebanon a couple years back?? They lived here long enough to become citizens,then moved back to Lebanon so that,when trouble started,Canadian taxpayers could come to the rescue bu bringing them home.Only to see them move back to Lebanon when the violence subsided.
I doubt any of us knows much about this guy.I do hope there is a resolution that is fair,first to Canada,and second,to him.
In truth,our failed and weak immigration system is seriously flawed.That issue is bigger than ANY ONE individual.
Also,what the really left leaning bleeding hearts con't seem to figure out,is they are the ones who are responsible for this.Just like the justice system,it is now difficult for most people to have any faith in our immigration system,for the most part,because the social engineers simply refuse to acknowledge that there are some people who should be in jail,and some who should not be citzens of Canada.
Now,because socialists insist on defending every criminal in sight,others who may be innocent,are tarred with the same brush.
These problems would be rare if we had systems that people in,and laws with consequences for those who find those laws unworthy of respect.

Graham in Edmonton
said

I'm confused. When exactly does a person change from (insert country of origin here)(hyphen)Canadian to the undiluted, generic Canadian? Seems that this happens when they are found out for what they really are.

DaveA
said

Sure sounds to me like another Arar case coming up. He got here on his own by baffling immigration with BS about being a refugee, then he goes back. sounds like he's trying to set himself up for a few millions in taxpayers money. Maybe he is an executive incognito. Bring him back----maybe he can run Air Canada

BP in Windsor
said

The article says he comited no crime he was cleared of all suspected links. He is a citizen, either revoke his citizenship or let him home, as for the no fly list we already know once you are on it by mistake or not is is virtually impossible to get off it. Ever think the real reason they don't want him back is that like Arar he may drag them through court for a multim8illion dollar settlement if he doesn't get home no law suit problem solved.
As for travelling back to his birth country I'm sure no Brits, Italians, Chinese etc don't ever spend time in their old countries, we seem to get suspicious only when an Muslim wants to visit his family in the old country.

schpid
said

Still comparing Harper to Bush. When will that bandwagon finally end? like Gerald said, if he needed to get out of Sudan so bad because he was in fear of his life, then why did he go back? I'm all for welcoming those with LEGITIMATE reasons but obviously this guy wasn't that wanted in Sudan or else he wouldn't have re-entered the country on a passport that would have been flagged by the Sudanese Gov't. So the real question may be if he LIED to get canadian Citizenship then maybe that's why he no longer is being given the PRIVILEGE not RIGHT to having it

Colene Allen, Cambridge, Ontario
said

And here we go again, with another situation like Ahrar's. First, the man is a Canadian Citizen. Not fiction, but fact. As such, he is entitled to the same rights as EVERY other citizen of the country.
Let's count the number of Charter rights violated here, shall we?

1. Section 2, Fundamental Freedoms
2. Section 6, Mobility Rights
3. Legal Rights, Sections 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12
4. Section 15, Equality Rights
5. Section 24, Enforcement

But why should we care? After all, the government of Canada would never do something like this to one of us, right? It's really simple. Either we ALL get the same rights, or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is worthless, as is this country.

The continued disregard of the Charter using the excuse of "national security" on unproven accusations is something that should be raising the angry voices of EVERY Canadian, because if you don't stop this now, you could be next, regardless of your ethnic background. Being Muslim does not automatically mean you are not entitled to your rights as a Canadian Citizen. Being a natural born Anglophone or Francophone Canadian also does not automatically entitle you your rights. These are YOUR legal Charter rights the government is trampling all over right now with this man. Why aren't you angry with your government over it???

Fatman
said

Louises S. McCulloch
The minister needs to read the citizenship act. He has no right to revoke citizenship. Once given Canadian Citizenship cannot be taken away. ........"

No, I think you need to read the citizenship act! As I have been led to understand the Canadian Government can revoke Canadian Citizenship of any non-Canadian born citizens holding said Canadian citizenship under a set of predefined conditions.

Meaning if you won't born here in Canada and are only a Canadian citizen because you paid your $10 and took an oath, your papers (canadian citizenship) can be taken away if you engage in specific behavior that meets predetermined criteria.

Again if I'm not mistaken, those who had landed on our shores following WW2 and took out Canadian citizenship, later to be deported for suspected war crimes once it was exposed they were either Nazis or had Nazi affiliation had their Canadian citizenship revoked by the Crown. That in itself shows Canadian citizenship for some can be a "here today - gone tomorrow" sort of affair.

Hal
said

Paul Dewar should be ashamed of himself for risking the lives of Canadians by trying to bring this potential terrorist into this country.

It's time the voters to speak out againt Dewar and the NDP. Thank god that the NDP have no chance (unless they form a coalition with the Bloc/Libs) of ever forming the government.

This guy is scary!!!!!

Gord J. -Toronto
said

There is an overriding issue here. He came to this country as a refugee! This means that he was in danger in his own country and asked for refugee status. We accepted that.
In 2003 he went back to his former country. What happened to the danger??
I can only assume that lied originally.
The true status of a "Refugee" is a one way street. We give you sanctuary (and citizenship.)
You should not be able to hold Dual Citizenship and you can never go back for any reason. If you do, your Canadian Citizenship should be revoked, and further entry forbidden.
I have no sympathy for this man's plight.

Paul
said

Another Canadian of convenience in trouble.....

Ya...I like I really care!

Bryan
said

There are obviously a lot of misconeptions of this poor guy. For those who are ignorant to travel and the police, the first thing they do is take your passport. duh...I'm male and white, and I think we're hypocritcal fat bastards for allowing this to happen, especially given how everyone whined to get a convict from Mexico. Put this to the test in court instead of being part of the problematic racists.

Dave in Vancouver
said

Please people! Quit trying to shove what happened to Democracy in our faces. This man is a risk! Not only has CSIS put him as a risk, but other countries as well. So how stupid is it to say bring him back to Canada.

How about, we investigate his original refugee claim, and if it's found to be false, we revoke his citizenship!!! For the safety of law abiding legitimate Canadians!!!

Stop Harper Now!.
said

To Phil: Have ever heard about the most fundamental law of justice?. It states that everyone is innocent until proven guilty!. How would you feel if after a court acquits you of any wrong doing, your fanatic governemnt still denies you all your basic rights because of your ethnicity/religion?. I call on all the decent conservatives out there who believe that all people are born equal to speak out and condemn this shameful decision!.

Jason B
said

This man has been investigated by CSIS, and RCMP. He has not been formerly charged with a crime of any kind. No evidence has been presented that he has links with terrorists.

One could say going back to the Sudan wasn't prudent, but it certainly wasn't a crime. If our government suspect him of being a terrorist, why wasn't he detained in Canada, and questioned in Canada?

Our system of justice falls into disrepute when our own government denies a Canadian citizen due process. Terrorist are dangerous, but a government that does not protect or respect due process is equally dangerous.

Dave in Vancouver
said

It's about time someone in Canada stands up and tells the world, we don't have to let you come here! For too long this country has been a place where everyone runs to hide. Our checks into these peoples history is inadequate, and we end up with false refugee claims by the thousands each year. If he was a refugee from Sudan, why would he return?

Obviously there is something that he has or is doing that makes him a risk. What was his real reason for coming to Canada?

It's time for Canadians to stand up and say, if you don't want to be a productive part of our society, we don't want you here!

Louises S. McCulloch
said

The minister needs to read the citizenship act. He has no right to revoke citizenship. Once given Canadian Citizenship cannot be taken away. If the man has security issues - fine - give him a one way emergency passport to come home. Then deal with him here. Fly him back on a military flight. But as a citizen of this country, he has the right to come home. This is a dangerous precedent for anyone leaving the country. It means the Minister of Foreign Affairs can revoke your citizenship - with whimsy it appears because no one has told us a concrete reason yet - without being accountable. We're not dummies, sir. Tell us why or send him home. By the way what kind of a threat is he when he is sitting in our own embassy? The whole thing smells, and we Canadians need an answer.

mohamed
said

I never knew there was a UN no fly list, I mean the American no fly list was really bad but now thanks to the UN its GLOBAL. After he was detained and tortured for 6 long and terrible years, he is now cleared of all charges. So what in the hell is going on? Because of national stupidity(security). What happened to the so called democracy and freedom the WEST talks about, I guess it was all a big fat lie. I have one thing to say *We are screwed*

cadguy
said

Cadguy from Saskatoon
It is very possible in this day and age that this individual poses a sincere threat to Canada or others. But because we are now all so aware of government dealings and world affairs, we as citizens think we know all there is about most situations when that is most likely very false. The government might need to find a better way to inform and adjust the populus train of thought without having to fully disclose sensitive information it might hold. In the end of the day - without a court oversight of the events, we must trust our elected officials to act in the best manner possible. But that trust is really hard to hold on to sometimes!!

Fatman
said

Rick in NB
".........
Ivan was correct in asking why A Canadian Embassy was feeding & boarding him if he is a threat to our nation."

Well, I recollect at one time a friend told me that when he worked for our government at our embassy in a particular third world country, a dog wandered into the compound one day and the kitchen staff fed and watered him. Over the coming weeks he kinda became accustomed to the free vidals and cold water and took it upon himself to move in. He even dug himself a comfortable little den under a porch and slept there at night. Apparently no one wanted to give him the heave-ho out onto the street where it was not uncommon for stray dogs to be shot so he was named, given a bath, taken to a local vet and checked over and given his shots and voila the embassy got a dog and the dog got a home. To my friends knowledge the mutt's still there to this day, just hanging out and being a dog.

Sounds to me like we have a similar situation here....

MHB
said

Fatman: Do you know what is the worst thing in this story?. The oppressive Sudanese government was most likely tipped about this man from our security agencies. They were probably asked to arrest him during a regular visit to his home country and extract information from him "in their own way". Now, after he was cleared from any crime and after his life is ruined, our fanatic immigration minister refuses to allow him back probably because they do not want him to speak out. The Canadian government should take full responsibility for leaving one of its citizens be detained and tortured for six long years. If this innocent man is not allowed back into Canada, we should be honest with ourselves and admit that Canada is being converted into a racist state. Save Canada now before it is too late!.

KMC (Markham, ON)
said

Edmonton John:
"What the ...are Harper and his cronies up to..."

This guy was arrested, in Sudan, in 2003 and had his passport revoked.

Harper wasn't in power in 2003. This matter took place under the former LIBERAL government.

Rick in NB
said

@ Jumping Jack Spratt:
The Embassy in question as all Canadian Embassies are on Canadian soil. That is there nature.
Ivan was correct in asking why A Canadian Embassy was feeding & boarding him if he is a threat to our nation.

Phil
said

Just because there is no evidence to prove he is a threat to our security, does not mean he has not ties to terrorist cells. There is always more that one side to each story. The government does not wish at this time to disclose why they have refused him a Canadian passport. We vote to put in a government to look out for our interests and safety and then we start to second guess them, strange!

Fatman
said

Perhaps we all should take a "wait and see" position on issues such as these. I don't think the Canadian Government and Mr. Canon would be taking the stance they are for the good off their health. I do believe that there are facts in play here we are not privy to and before jumping all over the Government and its Minister I suggest we should just hold a bit and see what unfolds.

As I understand it this man has a place to stay, food to eat and shelter on our tab at the Canadian embassy in Khartoum, he is in no danger. Apparently he has been living under these circumstances for some time now and another week or two won't hurt. This should be ample time for Mr. Cannon to sort through his information and come forward to the Canadian people, make the real situation known and explain why the reluctance on the part of the government to bring this man home. I would prefer to hear the details from Mr. Cannon rather than from some member of parliament, who is neither in the government or the official opposition, or the Canadian legal representative for the individual in question.

Wes
said

For all of you who thinks that Canada is doing nothing about it and it's shame and all that, well think outside the box for a minute. Maybe they have a good reason to block him. Maybe he is a threat to National Security and honestly, they may know something that we don't know. Of course we tend to judge to quickly about everything and we don't take a moment to think of what's going on in the back doors. It has nothing to do with the rights and freedom, it has to do with the security of this country. I am sure that CSIS and RCMP learned their lessons about Arar, but this time it could be different. I have to admit that there are times that Canada is to soft on Immigration and maybe it's time to tie the grip, before their is a national security consern.

Edmonton John
said

Lynne,

This Canadian who is not allowed to return to his land of citizenship has been held captive and tortured.

However, he was released without charge, and no charges have been substantiated against him. It is clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that his complexion and religion alone are what stand in the way of his freedom and repatriation.

I am in more danger, on a daily basis, just getting to work and back on the Edmonton LRT. Ill disciplined young thugs are dangerous. The Eastern Africans I have encountered have been universally hospitable and gracious, regardless of whether they are Christian or Muslim.

I am sorry you feel this person is a threat to you. I assume you never go out in the evenings in a municipality, or take public transport. Then you would have a base line from which to measure danger.

Shame on you, by the way, for casting suspicion on a fellow citizen who has had the misfortune of being 'mis-labeled' by Harper's xenophobic, bigoted administration.

True, citizenship is a right, but it must not be arbitrarily withheld, and certainly not on the grounds of race or religion.

And this is Harper's baby, make no mistake. If there remained doubts as to Abdelrazik innocence during the Liberal administration, these have been removed.

Bring this man home, for the love of your god, the sanctity of our constitution, and out of respect for your freedom!

LH
said

The Canadian govt cannot force the UN to remove this guy from their no fly list. If he's on that list has anyone considered that maybe he's not being allowed on the plane, even if he had a passport, by someone other than the Canadian govt? They informed him of this fact, and since Canada does not control the UN but is a member, Canada has to abide by UN rules. I'm not sure what kind of lobbying Canada could do to get him off this list but ultimately its the UN's decision.
Also, I would rather our govt be over cautious than under cautious. It is highly possible that the RCMP has not released all of the information on this man, or that the UN knows something we don't that has now been shared with Canada, all this said is we didn't find him guilty, doesn't mean someone else didn't find him guilty. And it is suspicious that he decided to go back to a country he fled, obviously it wasn't that dangerous.

McCarthyism is Alive and Well in Canada
said

McCarthy must be cheering for this government. His principles of continually scaring people and using small bits of information to manipulate are alive and well.
It is very sad to see Canadians follow it and even sadder to see the spinelessness of any politician to stand up to it.

Sean
said

Here we go again-
Let's just give him his 40 Million dollar cheque right now for all his pain and suffering.

Why does Canada insist on handing out Citizenship cards like their M&M's only to find out...wait, this person is a security risk.

Hand out work permits, study permits and visitors visa's...not citizenship cards...there should be a minimum ten year waiting period to become a Canadian Citizen, five years for a permanent resident-no exceptions. Canadian citizens have too many rights that need to be protected, which I have no problem with at all. I just want to make sure that the right people get to be Canadians, there are so many good people out there, lets select the right ones.

Taylor from Victoria
said

This shameful decision by the government not only breaks its own promise to Mr. Abdelrazik, but denies him his fundamental right as a citizen to be in Canada. Both CSIS and the RCMP have cleared him of any suspicion of being involved in terrorist or criminal activities.

I am appalled, but no longer surprised, at all those Harper supporters who seem not to understand that our constitutional liberties are perpetually under threat from government leaders and officials. Justice denied to one is justice denied to all. In the present case, Harper and Cannon seem to be motivated by partisan politics: they won't let Mr. Abdelrazik return because then the Liberals, NDP, and their other political opponents will have "won". Unfortunately, liberty and democracy are the real losers.

Richard in Ontario
said

I'm not surprised that Taliban Jack's cronies are jumping all over this situation.. Let all the suspected terrorists into our county, they can't be that bad. For the posters who are saying saying that this person is on a US or Bush thought up NO FLY list, please read it again. It is "UN"..

RobO
said

First things first folks:

Quit blaming the current government for this as it happened under the Liberal watch.

Second: Either the reason for not letting him back is due to security or he is considered a risk. We have enough problems with people from other countries who don't follow the laws of this nation.

Third: If this fled his country for humain reasons, then decides its safe to go back.

my 2 cents

Holmes
said

? Why has it taken 6 years for this situation to come to the public's attention? There is more to it than we are being told. Don't you think?

MB in Ottawa
said

We always blame the American for putting their nose in everybody's businesses!!!!! And yet some of the same Canadians who blame the Americans, order our Government to put their nose in other country's businesses. How would we react if Russia, Iraq or China would tell us what to do and how to rule our Country and manage our justice system. Enough is enough. Let's mind our business. We don't have to agree with deranged regimes, but we can't tell other countries what to do with Canadians who chose of their own volition to travel to these countries and commit crimes in their territories!

sue breeze
said

Absoufian Abdelrazik has been cleared of all charges that he is linked to terrorism - by the RCMP and the Sudanese who tortured him. Harper and his ministers are arrogant, ignorant and myopic. This can happen to any one of us in this war on terror - Maher Arar, Abdullah Almaki, Ahmad Abou El-Maati and Mouyad Nurredi - SHAME ON HARPER AND CANNON AND CANADIANS WHO DO NOT SEE THAT THIS IS TO FULFILL SOME NEO-CON AGENDA.

Lyne
said

EDMONTON JOHN:

How on earth would you know if he is a threat to our country or not? Thank GOD you're not in charge of watching our borders. There is an obvious reason why this man's passport has been taken from him!

Jumping Jack Spratt
said

Yeah Ivan it is a stupid question... The Canadian Embassy is in Sudan not in Canada.

It is apparent that it must be PM Harper's fault, as he has been in Sudan since 2003.

Chris (In Calgary)
said

Has anyone stopped to consider that this man just might be a security risk ??? Just because he's Canadian doesn't mean that the government is hanging him out to dry. What did he do ? There's 2 sides to every story, often 3. Just because the RCMP tell the media didn't find anything or that's' how the media interprets it doesn't mean that's all there is.

Will you people believe any spin the media puts on things. What happened to critical independent thought ?

Too many bleeding hearts...
said

He is most likely an opportunist Canadian citizen. Why was he in the Sudan?

Hey "Not every non-white-christian male is a terrorist";

Not every non-white-christian male is a victim either. Wait for the facts before jumping to conclusions.

Ryder
said

Citizenship is NOT a right. It is a PRIVILEGE and at the discretion of the Government which issues the citizenship, may at any time, within reason, revolk the citizenship. In this case, if evidence has been provided that implicates Abousfian Abdelrazik to crimes deemed to be acts of terrorism, then yes, his citizenship should be revolked. Once this evidence has been processed, then Abousfian Abdelrazik will either be deemed a risk or will be granted permission to return to Canada.

sam bar Calgary
said

This makes me worry since I am a minority in this country, yet I was born and raised here. And for my civil rights to go out the window due to suspicion and doubt makes me fearful. But I am a typical individual with hopes and aspirations. And for all that to be taken away from me by someone who doesnt know me personally is unacceptable. He has a family here in Canada, and many people who are trying to fight for his rights. And to be canadian and refuse the rights of a fellow canadian to do something as simple as come home should not be tolerated by the citizens of this once great country.

Saladin
said

Guess who put him on the UN no-fly list?. I bet it was our conservative government probably because of remote unsubstinitated suspicions that are mainly based on his surname. Let's face it guys, we have the most intolerant government in a long time and this is a real disgrace to this country. We need change and we need it now!.

UGH Canada.
said

Canada never hesitates to exercise Diplomatic pressure for return of white Convicted Criminals who received due-process.
Despite Intl declarations to the contrary,Canada is covertly devided into Preferred Priviledged and Visible Minorities.
Harper govt actively Lobbied other govts to vote against UN resolution for Basic Indigenous Peoples Rights.

Michael Whitbywale
said

Most of the people who are comenting here looks like don't know he got his canadian citizen ship. He was prosecuted in his Country so he claims refugee in Canada and Canada gives him Citizenship, housing and monthly expenses. Then oneday he decides to go back to his country which is supposed to be dangerous, Why? why anybody should believe he went to see his mother. Looks like he is preparing his case for millions of dollars of compensation like Arar. The words looks familiar in the media like, tortured, CSIS etc

Gail (Hamilton)
said

This man has been held for six years? Why didn't the Liberals bring him back home? All this political posturing is typical of the left. Let his lawyers take it to the UN HRC since the UN is blocking his travel.

Kevin
said

This man is Canadian, it doesn't matter how recent his citizenship is or which Country he came from. The Canadian government felt it was safe to make him a citizen so he must be treated as such regardless of his past. Its a very competitive and strick process to qualify for entry in the first place. Our country is built on immigration, so to imply he somehow less of a citizen that any one of us is unacceptable.

If the government can do this to him than it can happen to any one of us, including those born here and those of a more european descent.

To our political leaders: You need to make a decission to bring this man home now or strip him of his citizenship; if however the second option is taken then it damn well better be justifiable and a completely transparant process.

TVic
said

Harper, stop this insanity immediately!! This person is a Canadian first and foremost. He deserves to return to this country immediately. If he is a terrorist then charge him with something when he gets back, otherwise leave him alone. No Canadian deserves such inhumane treatment! This is just another form of torture.

Jackie Barrett
said

After hearing Paul Dewar's interview, I think Foreign Affairs Canada, particularly Lawrence Cannon, is indeed stereotypical as they seem to judge citizens based on their surnames.

Even though Abdelrazik has been cleared of wrong doing, for some idiotic reason, Lawrence Cannon and Foreign Affairs still denying him back into Canada. That's not a good way to treat Canadian citizens.

I think Lawrence Cannon and Foregin Affairs are stereotypical as them seem to judge people based on their last names. For example, he let Brenda Martin back into Canada, she's a Canadian Citizen, though she was found guilty of crimes in Mexico, but they won't let Mr. Abdelrazik back into Canada though he did nothing wrong. See the racism and double standard the Harper Government is displaying there?

Stand up for the Charter of Rights, stand up for Canada, let Mr. Abdelrazik back home now.

Not every non-white-christian male is a terrorist
said

He should take some comfort from the Arar case.

Once all of these stuffed shirt, buck-passing, cowardly politicians finally acknowledge their errors and take this man's name off of all their lists he will be entitled to alot of money.

While nothing will give him back the time he has lost, he will at least end up as rich or richer than his persecutors.

My only wish would be that the politicians personally had to pay rather than the government using my tax dollars to pay the victims of their narrow minded prejudices.

Daniel Mick
said

"Innocent until proven guilty" and he isn't even being accused of a crime.

J. Witters
said

Well, it does seem odd that the government is going and breaking their word,, since we know they never do that...LOL

I do wonder how a Canadian citizen who has been thoroughly investigated by our government and the RCMP and not shown to be involved in any crimminal or terroist activity is prevented from flying HOME by a list drawn up by the BUSH administration,, odd?

Erik Chapman
said

This is a case of the Canadian government ordering an "extraordinary rendition" of one of its' own citizens and arranging for his arrest and torture by a foreign government, followed by illegally preventing him from re-entering Canada, contrary to the law and the constitution. All those involved should be imprisoned for life. This case should be used to bring down the Harper government as this conduct can never be tolerated in any democracy, regardless of the political leanings of the party doing it.

MHB
said

Canada wake up!. This government does target certain minorities and they would violate all their civil rights if they can. This a CANADIAN citizen who was detained and possibly tortured by an oppressive regime and yet our conservative government does not allow him back!. This is yet another scandal added to the long history of scandals of this Bushits government!.

Ivan
said

Stupid question, but if he's a threat to national security, what is doing living in a Canadian embassy?

Lou from Red Deer
said

Oh, puh-lese. Perhaps there is a legitimate reason he is not allowed back? It always bugs me when the Opposition always leap to the conclusion that the people in these situations are lily-white and that Canada is the big bad meanie for not letting everyone and anyone into our country. And of course, the public feels the need to know every bit of info about the case so they can pass their all-knowing and keen judgement.
I don't know if the man is guiltless or not, but in security matters, not everything can be made public.
Maybe, just maybe, there are some things we don't know.

Gerald from Belleville
said

I have very little sympathy for this guy.

He was born in Sudan and fled in 1989. He came to Canada and became a refugee, gaining his citizenship in 1995.

Then he decides in 2003 to go back to Sudan -- the reasons are irrelevant. He ran away from Sudan because he felt he was in imminent danger and claimed refugee status on that basis. Then he returns to the Sudan and lo and behold, he's surprised when this causes him problems.

This is a guy suspected of terrorism not only by Canada, but by the US as well as several African and European countries. While I won't debate whether this is right or not, it is no big surprise then that the US won't let him fly over their country and airlines will refuse to carry him.

No sympathy. You know you're suspected of terrorism (he had been accused before) and you choose to go to a country you ran away from to become a refugee...you have to expect trouble.

Not saying Canada shouldn't bring him back, but I don't feel much sympathy for him. You go asking form trouble, you just might find trouble...

Edmonton John
said

Shame!

This man is no threat to your security or mine, and certainly not to Canada's!

What the %$@@! are Harper and his cronies up to?

This is an outrage! They are toying with this Canadian's life.

Dan from Northern Ont
said

The real question is why he's on the UN's no fly list. Is there a country blocking him, is he getting forgotten about, etc.

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