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e-3419 (Foreign affairs)

E-petition
Initiated by Aung Naing Thein from Sherwood Park, Alberta

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • On February 1, Myanmar’s military (Tatmadaw) led by General Min Aung Hlaing staged a coup, killed over 800 people and detained over 4200 people including elected representatives, civil activists, students, teachers and health care workers;
  • On April 16, the federalist National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG) was formed by elected representatives of the 2020 elections, in parallel to the junta;
  • Its cabinet includes ethnic representatives, civil activists and anti-coup protest leaders. As one Yangon-based diplomat described, this is “the most diverse and inclusive political body the country has ever seen”;
  • Myanmar’s security forces have been systematically killing, abducting and torturing civilians, including violence against women and children and use of civilians as human shields; and
  • The Tatmadaw does not have the mandate to represent Myanmar and has been outlawed by the NUG as terrorists responsible for gross human rights violations.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to :
1. Recognize the NUG as the only legitimate governing body of Myanmar and support its efforts to establish a federal, democratic and pluralistic country that respects the rights of all ethnic communities including the Rohingya.;
2. Designate the Tatmadaw as a terrorist organization and cut all diplomatic ties with it;
3. Provide humanitarian aid for refugees displaced by country-wide crackdowns and the bombing of villages and towns, like in Karen, Kachin and Chin states; and
4. Provide financial support for detainees and civil workers who have joined the Civil Disobedience Movement against the junta.

Response by the Minister of Public Safety

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Pam Damoff

Canada has unequivocally condemned the Myanmar military’s seizure of power, the overthrow of the democratically-elected civilian government, and the detention of politicians, civil society leaders, journalists, peaceful protestors and human rights defenders. We have denounced the Tatmadaw's violence against peaceful protestors, as well as the regime's deliberate measures to crush dissent through communication disruption and intimidation. These measures show a flagrant contempt for Myanmar's democratic process, fundamental civil and political rights, and the people's will. We have rejected claims made by coup leadership of election fraud, as they have no basis in fact, and have been refuted by international, diplomatic and domestic elections observers. Canada engages with all those working toward the peaceful restoration of Myanmar’s path to democracy, including the National Unity Government (NUG), who are an important voice for many in Myanmar.

On November 8, 2021, the first anniversary of Myanmar's 2020 general elections, Canada restated its position. In addition, following the trials and convictions of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, Canada issued a statement on December 6, 2021 expressing concerns in response to the verdict, and episodes of violence against peaceful protesters. Furthermore, Canada has joined our international partners in making similar appeals in a number of international fora and in multiple resolutions within the United Nations, including the General Assembly, Human Rights Council and International Labor Congress.

The Government of Canada also takes reports of international terrorist activity very seriously. In order for an entity to be added to the Criminal Code list of terrorist entities, explicit criteria must be met. The process for listing an entity is rigorous and thorough. Determining whether to designate an entity is based on information, intelligence, and the law. It involves cross-government consultations and the preparation of security or criminal intelligence reports, which are independently assessed by the Department of Justice to ascertain if an entity meets any of the thresholds for listing as set out in subsection 83.05(1) of the Criminal Code

An entity may be added to the Criminal Code list if there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person or group has knowingly carried out, participated in, or facilitated a terrorist activity, or a person or group has knowingly acted on behalf of, at the direction of, or in association with a terrorist entity. It is important to note that the assessment process for adding entities to the Criminal Code list is continuous and ongoing. The Government cannot share which entities are being considered for listing. 

Canada continues to hold the Tatmadaw accountable and remains committed to helping restore democracy as demanded by the people of Myanmar. Since 2007, Canada has imposed sanctions against Myanmar, including key members of Myanmar’s military under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations (the Regulations) in order to respond to the gravity of the situation in the country. The measures, implemented by the Regulations, include:

  • a prohibition on persons in Canada and Canadians outside Canada engaging in any activity related to any property of listed persons (effectively, an asset freeze), or providing financial or related services to them; and
  • an arms embargo, including prohibitions on exporting and importing arms and related material to and from Myanmar, on communicating technical data related to military activities or arms and related material, and on financial services related to military activities or arms and related material.

Additionally, Canada continues to respond to the on-going situation in Myanmar. On February 18, 2021, in response to the coup d’état in Myanmar, the Regulations were amended to add 9 individuals. These individuals are all senior officials in Myanmar’s military, who were either directly involved in the coup or are members of the military regime’s new governing body, the State Administration Council. A further 16 individuals and 10 entities were sanctioned on May 14, 2021, targeting key senior military and military-appointed officials, family members of designated officials, and affiliated commercial entities. This announcement was made in coordination with the United Kingdom and the United States, and aligned with actions taken by the European Union.

In further coordination with the United Kingdom and United States, on December 10, 2021, Canada announced additional sanctions against 4 entities in response to the Myanmar military’s ongoing repression and the escalating violence, eroding human rights situation and worsening humanitarian crisis in the country, as well as the regime’s refusal to take concrete action to restore democracy. The sanctions targeted key Myanmar military and defence-related entities whose support and functions enable the ongoing insecurity in Myanmar.

Canada continues to review the need for further sanctions as appropriate and will take additional actions, in coordination with our partners, should the Tatmadaw refuse to reverse course.

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob Oliphant

Canada has unequivocally condemned the Myanmar military’s seizure of power, the overthrow of the democratically elected civilian government, and the detention of politicians, civil society leaders, journalists, peaceful protesters and human rights defenders. Canada has denounced the Tatmadaw's violence against peaceful protesters, as well as the regime's deliberate measures to crush dissent through communication disruption and intimidation. These measures show a flagrant contempt for Myanmar's democratic process, fundamental civil and political rights, and the people's will. The actions of the junta underscore what the world already knows: that the military’s brutal seizing of the country’s governance is totally illegitimate. Canada has rejected claims made by coup leadership of election fraud, as they have no basis in fact, and have been refuted by international, diplomatic and domestic elections observers. Canada engages with all those working toward the peaceful restoration of Myanmar’s path to democracy, including the National Unity Government (NUG). The Myanmar military must release all individuals who have been detained and immediately stop all obstructions to the democratic process.

On November 8, 2021, the first anniversary of Myanmar's 2020 general elections, Canada restated its position. In addition, following the trials and convictions of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, Canada issued a statement on December 6, 2021, expressing concerns in response to the verdict, and episodes of violence against peaceful protesters. Furthermore, Canada has joined international partners in making similar appeals in a number of international fora and in multiple resolutions within the United Nations, including the General Assembly, Human Rights Council and International Labor Congress.

Canada continues to hold the Tatmadaw accountable and remains committed to helping restore democracy as demanded by the people of Myanmar. Since 2007, Canada has imposed sanctions against Myanmar, including key members of Myanmar’s military under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations (the Regulations) in order to respond to the gravity of the situation in the country. The measures, implemented by the Regulations, include:

•             a prohibition on persons in Canada and Canadians outside Canada engaging in any activity related to any property of listed persons (effectively, an asset freeze), or providing financial or related services to them; and

•             an arms embargo, including prohibitions on exporting and importing arms and related material to and from Myanmar, on communicating technical data related to military activities or arms and related material, and on financial services related to military activities or arms and related material.

Additionally, Canada continues to respond to the on-going situation in Myanmar. On February 18, 2021, in response to the coup d’état in Myanmar, the Regulations were amended to add 9 individuals. These individuals are all senior officials in Myanmar’s military, who were either directly involved in the coup or are members of the military regime’s new governing body, the State Administration Council. A further 16 individuals and 10 entities were sanctioned on May 14, 2021, targeting key senior military and military-appointed officials, family members of designated officials, and affiliated commercial entities. This announcement was made in coordination with the United Kingdom and the United States, and aligned with actions taken by the European Union.

In further coordination with the United Kingdom and United States, on December 10, 2021, Canada announced additional sanctions against 4 entities in response to the Myanmar military’s ongoing repression and the escalating violence, eroding human rights situation and worsening humanitarian crisis in the country, as well as the regime’s refusal to take concrete action to restore democracy. The sanctions targeted key Myanmar military and defence-related entities whose support and functions enable the ongoing insecurity in Myanmar.

Canada continues to review the need for further sanctions as appropriate and will take additional actions, in coordination with partners, should the Tatmadaw refuse to reverse course. Canada stands with the people of Myanmar, who continue to fight courageously for democracy.

Canada also continues to provide humanitarian assistance funding to support the needs of vulnerable and conflict-affected populations in Myanmar. This funding is delivered through experienced partners in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. In 2021, Canada provided $8.3 million in humanitarian assistance funding in Myanmar.

Canada has also recently allocated $288.3 million to implement its new strategy to respond to the Rohingya crisis and the situation in Myanmar. Canada will continue to work with international partners to ensure that vulnerable and conflict-afflicted populations in Myanmar, including the Rohingya, live in safety and with dignity. Canada has reviewed its international assistance to Myanmar, and does not and will not provide direct funding to the Tatmadaw regime. Canada will, however, continue to support poverty alleviation among vulnerable and conflict-affected populations, particularly women and ethnic groups, through civil society organizations. As the prospects for sustainable and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar are further diminished by the coup, Canada continues to work with international partners to mobilize support for the Rohingya people. We plan to continue to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh.

Canada continues to provide development assistance for vulnerable and conflict-affected populations in Myanmar, particularly women and ethnic minority groups, working mainly through support to civil society organizations, champions of democratization, and human rights defenders.

The military coup has also reaffirmed the critical need for accountability for the crimes committed by the Tatmadaw. Canada continues to pursue a joint intervention with the Netherlands in support of The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, and supports the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. We continue to work with our international partners to ensure justice for the victims, and accountability for the perpetrators, of gross violations and abuses of human rights.

Building an international constituency to urge the immediate cessation of violence and release of detainees, and to advance peace, democracy, accountability and human rights remains a priority for the Government of Canada.

Open for signature
May 31, 2021, at 2:13 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
June 30, 2021, at 2:13 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan)
December 14, 2021 (Petition No. 441-00072)
Government response tabled
January 31, 2022
Photo - Garnett Genuis
Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan
Conservative Caucus
Alberta