A former Canadian defense minister has resigned from his position as Honorary Consul for Sierra Leone, citing the continued detention of Canadian-Sierra Leonean citizen Hawa Hunt as a violation of fundamental human rights.

David Pratt, who served in the role for over a decade, submitted his resignation in protest of Hunt’s ongoing imprisonment.

Hunt, a 43-year-old mother of three, has been detained in Sierra Leone since December 22, facing charges under the country’s Cybersecurity and Crime Act for alleged “insulting messages” posted on social media, which were critical of President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio.

Pratt, in his resignation letter to the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner in Washington, D.C., expressed his deep concern over the handling of Hunt’s case. “I believe very strongly that Sierra Leone needs to have a higher regard for human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of speech, than has been on display recently,” he stated. “Under the circumstances, I feel I can no longer continue as the honorary consul for Sierra Leone and hereby tender my resignation.”

Speaking to Postmedia Calgary, Pratt described his “shock” at Hunt’s arrest and deemed her continued detention “overkill.” He emphasized that his resignation was intended to send a strong message to Sierra Leonean officials.

“I hope that if somebody in the embassy or the Sierra Leone Foreign Ministry does look at the letter, they will understand that at least this particular honorary consul was not happy about the way they dealt with a Canadian citizen,” he said.

Pratt, who has maintained a 35-year connection with Sierra Leone, including serving as a special envoy, highlighted his role as honorary consul as primarily facilitative, aiding Sierra Leoneans in Canada and Canadians in Sierra Leone.

His resignation comes amidst growing international concern for Hunt’s well-being in Pademba Road Prison, which Pratt described as “not a nice place.”

Despite Hunt’s public apology to the president and first lady, and multiple denied bail requests, she remains in detention.