Ahmed Hussen, our MP, met with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on April 2. Hussen said on Twitter:
“Great mtg w Turkey’s President Erdoğan. Excellent discussion on ways to strengthen Canada-Turkey relationship. I also lauded his amazing work in rebuilding Somalia.
Erdoğan is a corrupt autocrat, who
- prosecutes journalists in secret trials,
- seizes critical newspapers,
- is building himself a billion-dollar palace
- prosecutes people—including children—for the ‘crime’ of “insulting the President”,
- says that “Jewish capital” controls the NY Times,
- claims birth control is “treason” and women are not equal to men
These facts are well established—The Economist had a special issue on Turkey in February, calling it a “sultanate”. Erdoğan’s takeover of Turkey’s biggest newspaper happened in March and drew international condemnation.
I asked Hussen whether he discussed press freedom and human rights with Erdoğan. Hussen did not respond.
Unbelievable! This is atrocious. I certainly wouldn’t be smiling and posing with pictures with this guy. Ahmed – what were you thinking?!?!
Also, if Adam asks you a question – it’s your responsibility to answer. Your response is to the community as a whole. Get it together!
This is horrible! Such abuses, repression, criminal behaviour and our representative poses with him, and applauds.
How can such human rights issues and suppression be papered over with a fancy photo-op?
You may not deign to notice your constituents but you certainly should notice what country you’re living in and its values, Mr. Hussein. You are our representative, not part of a global thugs’ club.