OTTAWA — Canada’s approach to its citizens imprisoned overseas is inept, cruel and often racist, human rights experts charged Tuesday.

The federal Liberals, who accuse the Harper government of playing politics when it comes to assisting Canadian nationals in other countries, vowed changes if they form a government.

“If I were a [Canadian] Muslim, I’d be quite terrified of travelling,” Amir Attaran, a law professor from the University of Ottawa, told a public forum on consular issues organized by the Liberals.

Attaran said racial and religious bias often underpins the decisions of “pure laine” bureaucrats about which Canadians to help and which to spurn. For instance, the government “moved Heaven and Earth” to win freedom for diplomats Robert Fowler and Louis Guay, kidnapped in Niger about a year ago, but ignored others in dire straits, he said.

The government has even undermined its own citizens abroad, he added, pointing to January’s Supreme Court ruling that Canada violated the rights of Omar Khadr, detained in Guantanamo Bay, by interrogating him after he had been subject to sleep deprivation.

“Canadians detained abroad often find Canadian officials are unwilling or unable to provide them meaningful assistance,” said Alex Neve, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada.

Toronto lawyer Julian Falconer, who represented Maher Arar in his claim against the Canadian government for its role in his detention and torture in Syria, said he was “stunned” at the lack of legislation on consular assistance.

MP Dan McTeague, the Liberals’ consular affairs critic, called for the creation of an independent ombudsman for consular issues.

He also wants a senior government minister designated to take responsibility for Canadians outside Canada.

“Government has to demonstrate that it cares not just for some Canadians but for all Canadians,” he said. “It cannot afford to pick and choose.”

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff called the suggestions “constructive.”

christina.spencer@sunmedia.ca