Public inquiry and compensation
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to hold a public inquiry into the Embassy’s inaction, obtain financial compensation from Canada and UAE authorities, and reform consular policies to prevent similar cases. The government responds that Global Affairs provided consular assistance, acted under the Vienna Convention and policies, and cannot override foreign authorities.
Why we would sign this petition
- A public inquiry could identify failures in consular response and hold officials accountable, improving transparency and trust.
- Financial compensation would address the petitioner’s lost income and debts, aiding recovery and remediation for harms suffered.
- Systemic consular reforms could strengthen procedures for medical emergencies and detainee welfare, reducing the risk of similar neglect.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Consular staff have limited ability to change foreign detention outcomes, so an inquiry may not produce actionable remedies abroad.
- Pursuing compensation from UAE authorities may be impractical or unenforceable and could require lengthy, costly diplomacy or litigation.
- Broad reforms could divert resources from other consular priorities; focused procedural fixes or case reviews may be more practical.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons A Canadian citizen was detained from June 2024 to April 2025 in Al-Sadr State Security Prison in Abu Dhabi, UAE; While detained, he was denied life-saving medical care, including insulin for diabetes and blood sugar and pressure monitoring, a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, and PTSD medication; he was also left without a blanket or mattress for months, despite the Canadian Embassy being aware of his condition and despite him leaving over 150 distress voicemail messages pleading for urgent medical intervention and consular support; As a result, he suffered prolonged medical neglect, trauma, anxiety, and long-term psychological harm; He continues to face serious financial hardship due to lost income and debt accrued during detention and recovery; These events may violate Canada’s duty of care under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963, Article 5), which obligates states to protect the interests and well-being of their nationals abroad, including providing help in cases of distress, detention, and medical emergencies; and These events may also contravene Article 16 of the Convention Against Torture, which prohibits acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment and requires that detainees receive access to necessary medical care while in custody. We, the undersigned, ctizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Launch a public inquiry into the Embassy’s inaction during this detention; 2. Provide financial compensation from the Canadian government and the UAE authorities for the harm suffered; and 3. Implement policy reform and systematic change within the Canadian embassy system to ensure no other Canadian suffers abroad.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Rob Oliphant Global Affairs Canada is aware that a Canadian citizen was detained in Al-Sadr State Security Prison in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from June 2024 to April 2025. Global Affairs Canada provided extensive consular assistance during the period of incarceration and following the eventual release. Canada acted in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and Canadian consular officials acted in line with Government of Canada policies and procedures. It is essential to understand that when a Canadian citizen travels to another country, they are subject to the laws of that country and to its judicial system. As noted in the Government of Canada’s Guide for Canadians Detained Abroad, when a Canadian is imprisoned overseas, Global Affairs Canada can discuss complaints about ill-treatment and raise medical issues with foreign authorities. Global Affairs Canada can also transmit concerns through official channels to local officials and prison representatives about any treatment that could affect the health and well-being of a Canadian citizen. Global Affairs Canada cannot, however, override the decisions of local authorities. Global Affairs Canada is unable to guarantee that foreign authorities will react positively to requests regarding medical care or prison conditions. Just as a foreign government cannot interfere in Canada’s judicial process, the Government of Canada cannot interfere in the judicial affairs of another country. Global Affairs Canada regularly reviews its consular policies and practices to ensure they are in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention.