431-00022 (Foreign affairs)

The Government of Canada has expressed its concerns directly to the Government of Iraq stressing the importance of respecting human rights, including the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and of the press, and addressing the legitimate demands of the protesters. During the last Universal Periodic Review of Iraq by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on November 11, 2019, Canada recommended that the Government of Iraq (a) cease and thoroughly investigate the use of excessive force by security forces and any other armed actors during the recent protests, including the killing of protestors, and ensure perpetrators are held accountable, and (b) ensure the rights of freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and freedom of peaceful assembly are fully respected and protected, both on and offline.

Canada supports Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Canadian officials have consistently met with Iraqi members of Parliament, ministers, governors and government officials to stress the importance of pluralism, respect for diversity and equality of all citizens.

Regulations enacted under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act allow the Government of Canada to target individuals who are, in the opinion of the Governor-in-Council, responsible for, or complicit in, gross violations of internationally recognized human rights or acts of significant corruption. The Government of Canada takes the matter of listing individuals under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act very seriously. Canada has established a rigorous due diligence process to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. Canada tailors its responses to the specifics of each unique situation and is judicious in its approach regarding when it chooses to deploy sanctions and/or draw on other courses of action in its diplomatic tool kit. As a matter of practice, the Government of Canada does not publicly announce new sanctions listings until the regulations come into force in order to prevent asset flight.

The Government of Canada will continue to monitor closely developments on the ground as events unfold, call for the cessation of excessive and lethal force against protesters, engage with the Government of Iraq on the situation, and collaborate with allies and partners, including the UN, to play a constructive role in responding to the situation.