431-00190 (Foreign affairs)

In instances where Somali-Canadians holding official positions in Somalia are encouraging and causing violence through incitement, fraud and hostility, individuals engaging in criminal activity would be subject to the justice system, and Canadian citizenship may be revoked if acquired through fraud or misrepresentation.

The additional items covered in this petition are outside the mandate of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and as such the department cannot comment on them.

The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy. Canada sees respect for human rights both online and offline, including the prevention of intimidation, as fundamental to the development of more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous societies around the world. To this end, all of Canada’s missions abroad are charged with advancing inclusive approaches that respect social differences as a key element of fostering and sustaining peace. In bilateral engagements with all countries, Canada raises concerns regarding corrosive hate speech, scapegoating and attempts to inflame social divisions whenever they occur.    

The Government of Canada engages regularly with the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia, of which Somaliland is an important region, on the aforementioned issues and others. Canada also engages with a broad range of actors, including non-governmental organizations, to promote the protection of human rights. In this respect, Canada recognizes the considerable contributions that diaspora members have made in actively rebuilding Somalia, and engaging on a wide range of important issues including human rights.

The government of Canada acknowledges that while online spaces can offer opportunities to empower individuals, advance gender equality, and promote human rights, they have also enabled new emerging threats, such as hateful content and technology facilitated sexual and gender-based violence. Canada believes that an Internet that is open, free and secure is crucial to addressing harmful and hateful content effectively and fairly.  To this end, Canada is a founding member of the Freedom Online Coalition, a partnership of 31 governments, working to advance Internet freedom. Coalition members work closely together and engage with civil society and the private sector to support Internet freedom – free expression, association, assembly, and privacy online – worldwide.

Looking forward, Canada will continue to work with members of the international community to help strengthen the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia to protect human rights, to ensure stability and security for all Somalis. For example, Canada will continue to use the opportunities presented by multilateral meetings, such as the High-Level Meeting on Somalia, to raise awareness and highlight Canada’s support for cooperation between the Federal Government and the regional governments, and the importance of inclusion and collaboration on issues as important as these. Canada will also continue to support Somalia’s objectives and ensure progress towards peace and security, sustainable development, establishing a federal democracy, addressing humanitarian needs, and providing basic services to its people.