Bring Brenda Martin home, say Greens

HALIFAX – The Green Party is calling on the Harper government to ensure that Brenda Martin, a Canadian imprisoned in Mexico, is transferred to Canada without delay. Ms. Martin was convicted yesterday in Mexico in connection with an internet fraud scheme run by her former employer.

“Brenda Martin’s nightmarish ordeal has obviously been tremendously taxing on her,” said Ms. May. “For the sake of her health and safety, she should be brought home immediately. Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day should negotiate an expedited transfer with Mexican officials so Ms. Martin can receive the medical attention she urgently needs.”

Ms. Martin has maintained her innocence throughout the two-year ordeal and is on suicide watch. Awaiting a conviction and verdict in her case, she has been imprisoned in Mexico for more than two years.

Ms. May said the Mexican justice system has treated Ms. Martin atrociously and that the Harper government did not do enough to protect her.

“The Harper government was inexcusably slow to act in Ms. Martin’s case,” said Ms. May. “The recent cabinet-level effort and involvement on her behalf is a welcome development. But the very fact that the case had to be brought to the highest levels underscores that Canadians prosecuted abroad are not served well by our government. The Green Party is calling for improved policies and procedures to facilitate intervention in cases like Ms. Martin’s.”

Ms. May said the Harper government’s behaviour on this file is consistent with its “stand down” approach when Canadians get into legal trouble abroad.

“The plight of child soldier Omar Khadr is another prime example, as is the Harper government’s ideologically motivated decision not to seek clemency for Ronald Smith, a Canadian on death row in the United States.”