Mr. Speaker, many different topics were discussed this weekend at the G20 summit hosted by Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, one of the most important topics was overlooked: the release of political prisoners like Raif Badawi.
The Bloc Québécois twice urged the government to take advantage of this opportune moment. It is customary for Saudi Arabia to pardon prisoners at major international events. Clearly the government fell down on the job and did not do everything possible to get Raif Badawi released.
Today, at the conclusion of the G20, the joint statement made no mention of human rights, and Mr. Badawi continues to serve his sentence as he has been for eight years now. Canada acted as though the G20 had been organized by a state like any other. Ottawa missed a golden opportunity to help Mr. Badawi, his wife Ensaf and their children. Ottawa will be held to account.