441-01383 (Foreign affairs)

The Government of Canada condemns violations of human rights in the strongest terms, and recognizes the sustained efforts of the Nigerian government in its 14-year fight against terrorism and the insurgency. The Government of Canada continues to call on the Nigerian authorities to bring those responsible to justice, and has expressed its sincere condolences for the significant loss of life and suffering experienced by Nigerians at the hands of these groups. This has been the Government of Canada’s position since the outset of the insurgency in 2009.

The Government of Canada conducts its human rights advocacy on a regular basis through both private and public channels. This includes bilateral representation with the Nigerian government, coordination with likeminded partners, as well as the issuance of public statements, conducted through an approach that is both strategic and productive.

Specifically, the Government of Canada has registered its concerns over the human rights situation and these atrocities through bilateral channels. This includes with Nigeria’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs, of Defence, and of Police, as well as Nigeria’s Vice President. The High Commission of Canada continues to raise these concerns with Nigerian officials. Canada will continue to conduct advocacy on grave violations against children, including kidnappings, with the Government of Nigeria and call for investigations into reported cases of human rights violations, bring to justice perpetrators, and ensure transparency.

In November 2022, the High Commission of Canada to Nigeria launched the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict in Nigeria. The Group, which is co-chaired by the High Commissioner of Canada in Nigeria, and the Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, is an important platform to share information on the impact of conflict on children, raise awareness, support fundraising initiatives, and undertake joint strategic advocacy actions to prevent and end grave violations against children in Nigeria, including kidnappings.

The Government of Canada has also issued several public statements on the kidnapping of Nigerian school girls, including the Chibok girls. This includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs publicly condemning these atrocities and calling for the release of victims and for increased protection of vulnerable citizens. Most recently, on the ninth anniversary of the Chibok Abduction, the High Commission of Canada published an article in Nigerian media outlets, alongside its United Nations partners, drawing attention to the 96 girls that remain in capacity, as well as the other children who have since been abducted. Canada cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of these children.

Canada listed Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa as terrorist organizations under its Criminal code in 2013 and 2021. Terrorist listing is a key tool in combatting terrorism, and it demonstrates that the Government of Canada will not tolerate such acts of violence. A listing carries significant consequences that enable the application of appropriate measures set out in the Criminal Code to deter terrorist activity in Canada, or support from Canada.

The Government of Canada engages through various mechanisms to address the human rights situation in Nigeria. In addition to the aforementioned outreach through bilateral and public channels, the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria also provides direct funding to local civil society organizations to support human rights programming through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives Program. These efforts complement Canada’s international assistance to Nigeria.

The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria also engages regularly with the National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria to discuss human rights and support the agency’s efforts to advocate for human rights and investigates complaints of human rights abuses submitted by citizens. The High Commission of Canada also engages actively in the Northeast Ambassadors’ Group in Abuja, which meets on a monthly basis to discuss the humanitarian situation in the northeast, including the protection of children from armed conflict.

The Government of Canada recognizes that certain conditions negatively exacerbate the security context in the country. To address the root causes of insecurity and alleviate poverty in Niagara, Canada provided $ 144.1 million in international assistance to Nigeria in 2021-2022, making it Canada’ s seventh largest recipient of international assistance. Canada will continue to deliver such life-saving assistance. Canada’s programming in Nigeria is guided by its Feminist International Assistance Policy and supports efforts to improve the quality of life for poor and marginalized people, particularly women and girls.  Through the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program (CTCBP) Canada is committed to preventing and responding to the threat of terrorism and violent extremism in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria is among the nine priority countries for CTCBP programming in the region.

Given this petition was specifically addressed to the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, the Government will make sure to bring both the petition and this response to the attention of the Chair, the Honourable Member for Pierrefonds-Dollard.