441-01731 (Foreign affairs)

The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canada’s foreign policy and international engagement.

Canada is strongly committed to working with governments, as well as multilateral and non-governmental organizations, to promote inclusive and accountable governance around the world. Canada is consistently a strong voice for the protection of human rights and the advancement of democratic values.

Canada’s leadership in the fight against arbitrary detention demonstrates its steadfast commitment to upholding universal human rights and the rules-based international order.

The Government of Canada maintains an active and open dialogue with the Turkish, Pakistani and Bahraini Governments concerning human rights, as part of Canada’s commitment to promote democracy and uphold human rights and the rule of law globally.

Global Affairs Canada officials met with the Turkish families that reported of their arrest in Pakistan and Bahrain and eventual detention in Türkiye, before moving to Canada. Global Affairs Canada officials have also received a submission from these families, requesting sanctions against specific Turkish officials in relation to their previous detention in Türkiye.

Canada is judicious when it chooses to deploy sanctions and is committed to their effective and coordinated use, when appropriate. Canada remains committed to playing a leadership role in the preservation and strengthening of an international rules-based order – sanctions are a key component of this approach. We also consider the broader political and international contexts when deciding whether sanctions or any other tools in Canada’s foreign policy toolbox may be an appropriate response.

Sanctions are an important complement to Canada’s foreign policy tools for maintaining and restoring international peace and security, combatting corruption, and promoting respect for norms and values, including human rights. Canada carefully considers the bilateral consequences that any sanction measures could have. To that end, Global Affairs Canada has established a rigorous due diligence process to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations, corruption or other circumstances that may warrant the use of sanctions. Wherever possible, Canada coordinates closely with likeminded allies, including the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, to maximize the effectiveness of sanctions.