SDIR Committee Meeting

The Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met in a televised session at 1:08 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Vice-Chair, Wayne Marston, presiding.

On motion of Ted Hsu, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee hear – on either March 10th or March 12th – from Burmese women who work for community-based organizations, which receive funding from the Government of Canada through InterPares’ Burma program, to discuss their work amongst their communities in Burma, focusing on violence against women, the peace process, and women’s political participation.

On motion of Tyrone Benskin, it was agreed, — That Vietnamese human rights activists report that the Communist regime in Vietnam is at a cross roads; That while the suppression of free speech and the imprisonment of dissidents continue, the Vietnamese government has been opening up and restructuring the economy in order to attract foreign direct investment; the government is also participating in the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations; That, as a result of these policies, the country’s standing before the international community is more important to its government than ever; Therefore, in order to take advantage of these unique circumstances, as well as to promote human rights and democracy within the country, the Subcommittee on International Human Rights should conduct a brief study on the human rights situation in Vietnam.

Michael Mostyn, Yehuda Azoulay and David Matas made statements and answered questions.

On motion of Irwin Cotler, it was agreed, — Whereas Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Whereas Saudi Arabia has a lively community of online activists and the highest number of Twitter users in the Middle East; Whereas flogging as punishment is strictly prohibited under international human rights law, including the United Nations Convention against Torture, which Saudi Arabia has ratified; Whereas, on June 17, 2012, Raif Badawi, a Saudi human rights activist and blogger, was arrested on a charge of “insulting Islam” through electronic channels and brought to court on several other charges; Whereas in November 2014, Raif Badawi was sentenced to ten years in prison, 1000 lashes, a fine of one million riyals, and an additional ten-year prohibition on leaving Saudi Arabia; Whereas on January 9, 2015, Raif Badawi was subjected to the first 50 lashes of his sentence; Whereas Reporters without Borders awarded Raif Badawi its 2014 Netizen Prize for Press Freedom; Whereas the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy awarded Raif Badawi its 2015 Courage Award; Whereas Raif Badawi has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize; That the Subcommittee: Call on Saudi authorities to end the corporal punishment of Raif Badawi, repeal his sentence, release him, and permit him to reunite with his family in Canada; Call on Saudi authorities release Raif Badawi’s lawyer, Waleed Abu al-Khair, and repeal his sentence; Reaffirm that freedom of expression, including online expression, is an essential foundation for democracy, stability and social development, and therefore strongly condemn the harassment and imprisonment by Saudi Arabia of journalists and others for exercising their right to free speech; Call on the Government of Canada to continue to use all available means to urge Saudi Arabia to release Raif Badawi and Waleed Abu al-Khair, and to bring about the reunification of Raif Badawi with his wife and children in Canada.

At 2:06 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.