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 Editorials | Issues | August 2007 
Ottawa not Helping Woman Held in Mexico: Macklin
 Valerie MacDonald - Northumberland Today
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 |  | I'm very disappointed our government hasn't taken a meaningful stand.
- Paul Macklin |  | |
A Trenton woman who has been held in a Mexican jail awaiting trial for 19 months has been chained to her bed and force fed in the past week, says former local Liberal MP Paul Macklin.
The Stephen Harper government has done nothing to help Brenda Martin, he said, shocking fellow Liberals with the information at a local party barbecue gathering earlier this week.
When told about the current situation involving the young Canadian woman, formerly from this riding, whose mother still lives here, Northumberland-Quinte West Conservative MP Rick Norlock said he would look into it.
Mr. Norlock questioned, however, why this allegation hadn't come through "proper channels" and asserted that his government has been doing "as much for Ms. Martin as any government," regardless of political stripe.
"For anyone to suggest otherwise is disingenuous," Mr. Norlock said in an interview yesterday.
Foreign Affairs has been in contact with its counterparts in Mexico, as well as the Mexican justice ministry, and Ms. Martin is getting the necessary medical attention and legal representation required, he continued. While Mr. Norlock said he couldn't talk about specifics due to privacy issues, he said the alleged crime took place in Mexico and that it is up to the Mexican justice system to handle it. In a reverse situation, Canadians would not think highly of interference by Mexicans, he said.
"I'm very disappointed our government hasn't taken a meaningful stand," responded Mr. Macklin, outlining the specifics in an interview yesterday.
It's not accurate to say the government has done what it can, Mr. Macklin stressed.
"Have they called in the Mexican ambassador? No."
The government has little or no interest in Ms. Martin, he said.
Based on published reports the recent 'Three Amigos Summit' (The North American Security and Prosperity Partnership meeting held in Montebello, Quebec) there was no discussion of human rights nor of this case, he said.
"How can we think about (Mexico) joining us in an equal partnership in North America? It's just not right, Mr. Macklin said.
There is a Web site focusing on Brenda Martin's situation (www.savebrenda.ca) and it talks about Mr. Macklin's efforts to help her receive a fair trial. It also states that a fund has been set up through CIBC for donations to assist in her legal defence.
The Web page indicates that those who have seen her recently say she has tried to take her life and that unless her circumstances don't change she is unlikely to be living six months from now.
vmacdonald@northumberlandtoday.com |
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