Evidence of meeting #31 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cases.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
What would you say in your opinion is the best way to improve cases of human rights abuses? Would it be effective diplomacy, sanctions, or a combination of several tools? Are there specific examples that you could point us to?
5:25 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Human Rights Foundation, As an Individual
I think everything should be on the table and there is going to be a recipe that is different for each country.
In the cases of some countries, it's about highlighting political prisoners and sending the message into that country that the Canadian Parliament cares for the life of this or that person and that the government should not execute them in prison or should, in fact, release them.
In some particular cases, it's more engagement. In some cases, it's sanctions, or it's asset seizures, or it's raising the....
I'm just thrilled when you do any of these things. I can give you specific examples from across the world as to what some governments have done to address these issues, but it's not one size fits all. What works in North Korea is going to be different from what works in Bolivia, which is going to be different from what works in Morocco. Again, sometimes Canada can have a stronger impact because it has historic ties, or a particularly good relationship, or the diaspora in Canada is very large. It can all be different.
I'm more than happy to put together for you, if you wish, a set of case studies on the subject.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Nault
Thank you very much, colleagues.
Mr. Halvorssen, thank you very much for your testimony. As is usually the case, we welcome any other further information you may want to supply to the committee as it relates to your expertise in the area you're working in.
Again, on behalf of the committee, we appreciate the scramble that was needed to have you here in front of us and we look forward to our continuation of the study of this very important matter. On behalf of the committee, thank you.
Colleagues, we will now adjourn until after the break week. We'll see you on Monday when we get back. Have a good week in the riding. Stay safe and we'll see you soon.
The meeting is adjourned.