Evidence of meeting #19 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Actually, Mr. Chair, I think this is the first time I've had no problems with interpretation, while you're all having sound problems. I can't tell you what the problem is, but the interpreter tells me that everything has been going well from the start.
Conservative
Special Rapporteur, Special Procedures Branch, United Nations, Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
Thank you, MP Chiu.
There are a number of countries—
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
A point of order, Mr. Chair. The situation just changed: I've just been told that it's no longer possible to do the interpretation.
The Clerk
The interpreters are giving me the feedback that it is not adequate for them at present. My apologies. I'm not sure if something has changed with the professor's set-up.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Okay, we'll have to move on to another witness for your questions, MP Chiu.
Conservative
Kenny Chiu Conservative Steveston—Richmond East, BC
Okay. My next question is for Mr. Mohammed.
Mr. Mohammed, Turkey, the country that borders on Syria's northern area, probably has the most influence in that area. It's been reported that Turkey unlawfully detains and transports captured proxy fighters from Syria to Turkey for prosecution. Many of them have been sentenced, including often to life without parole on top of abhorrent prison conditions.
Could you share with us the extent of this practice?
Human Rights Law and Policy Campaigner, Amnesty International Canada
Thank you, MP Chiu, for this question. I know that Amnesty International has some research with respect to the border region. Regrettably, I can't provide further context on that. I would be very happy to take on your question, consult with my regional colleagues who are experts in this area, and revert with a response if that would be helpful to you, but I do regret that I won't be able to provide further comment on that here.
Conservative
Kenny Chiu Conservative Steveston—Richmond East, BC
Thank you. Perhaps you could submit some information on that to the committee.
Media reports indicate that at least 25 innocent Canadian children are trapped in refugee camps not far from Turkey, and the country is launching a military offensive. Is any witness attending the meeting today familiar with the situation of Canadian children in Syria in that part of the world? I have 30 seconds left.
Canada Director, Human Rights Watch
I'm sorry, but I think you mean the same Canadian children we were speaking about earlier, because the number is exactly the same.
We know that a remaining 24 Canadian children whose family members have ties to ISIS are detained by the Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria, the de facto authority there.
Conservative
Kenny Chiu Conservative Steveston—Richmond East, BC
Their safety is being threatened by military operations.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, MP Chiu. I did add over two minutes to your time for the time we lost.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to begin by thanking the witnesses for being with us this evening. We're extremely grateful to them. We're greatly concerned about this issue.
My question is for Ms. Gladding, but if the other witnesses want to answer it afterwards, they're welcome to.
We know that a Canadian investigation revealed that Turkey used Canadian equipment, in this case drones, for surveillance and targeting purposes in Syria.
This may be a bit of a silly question, but did the fact that Canada stopped selling arms to Turkey last month change anything, or was it too little too late?
Director for Fragile and Humanitarian Programs, World Vision Canada
I don't feel best placed to answer that myself, but I would certainly open the floor to other witnesses who may be able to speak to that.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Does anyone have an opinion on this?
Okay, at least I tried. I feel like no one wants to comment on this somewhat sensitive issue. No problem.
Could someone explain to me how Turkey's military operations in Syria violate the rights protected by international humanitarian law and international human rights law?
Special Rapporteur, Special Procedures Branch, United Nations, Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
If you can hear me, I'm happy to—
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, that's kind, Ms. Ní Aoláin. I'm listening.
Special Rapporteur, Special Procedures Branch, United Nations, Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
I want to make two remarks to the questions from the MP.
The first is about the uses of technology. The United Nations special procedures remain deeply concerned about the use of surveillance and data technology in northeast Syria, including its application to Canadian and other third country nationals. A formal letter has been sent to your excellency's government on that particular point with regard to the collection of biometric data from persons detained in northeast Syria, including Canadian nationals. That issue is live. It is prescient. We are deeply concerned over the sharing of that data, particularly on children, with other security forces and with other third party actors and states.
As regards international humanitarian law, it is profoundly clear that overlapping human rights and humanitarian law is applicable to Turkey also as a state party engaged in this conflict zone. That particularly includes the law of occupation in the parts of Syria in which Turkey exercises effective control, including detention sites. It also includes the full application of the fourth Geneva Convention to the detention of third country nationals, including Canadian nationals.
This issue is, to say the least, extremely sensitive. The mandate I hold is apprised of and deeply concerned about it, and specifically the detention of third country nationals by states in northeast Syria, and not only by non-state actors.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you very much for answering that extremely important question, Ms. Ní Aoláin.
Human rights organizations and observers report that the human rights situation in Turkey has deteriorated considerably since the passage of broad anti-terrorism legislation in 2018. This we know.
I'm going to follow up with you, Ms. Ní Aoláin. Could you describe the impact that anti-terrorism legislation has had on human rights in Turkey?