Mr. Speaker, I have a number of petitions to present to the House today.
The first petition responds to concerns that have been raised by many people in the Eritrean Canadian community about ongoing human rights abuses in Eritrea, as well as foreign interference emanating from Eritrea.
Petitioners want to draw the attention of the House to the fact that Eritrea has been ruled by a brutal authoritarian dictator under a totalitarian system for the last 30 years. There is no constitution, no election, no parliament, no freedom of the press and no freedom of movement and association. The people of Eritrea have the same aspirations for freedom and democracy that people always and everywhere have.
Eritreans continue to flee indefinite military conscription, religious persecution and political repression. Petitioners note that a very high number of people have fled and yet continue to face threats in the form of foreign interference while they are living elsewhere. Those people who have managed to flee face intimidation and extortion from representatives and agents of the regime that are abroad. People are also harassed and forced to pay large amounts of money because members of their family have fled.
Petitioners are concerned about the use of Eritrean embassies for foreign interference. They also highlight other forms of repression that happen abroad.
Petitioners also draw the attention of the House to the conspiracy and the collaboration of the Eritrean dictator and the Russian regime, and how that is facilitating neocolonial efforts of the Russian state in Africa, which I know should be of great concern to all members.
Petitioners call on the Government of Canada to engage actively with Eritrean political and human rights activists, especially with pro-democracy groups working here in Canada and building coalitions around the world. They want to see Canada take a leadership role among western allies to challenge the Eritrean dictator's collaboration with Vladimir Putin and Russian neocolonial policy in Africa in general.
Petitioners want to see an investigation of foreign interference activity here in Canada and stronger measures to ensure that the asylum system here in Canada is not abused by people who are affiliated with the regime.
Petitioners want Parliament to advocate for the release of all imprisoned journalists and parliamentarians. They highlight specifically the cases of Dawit Isaak, Petros Solomon, Mahmoud Ahmed Sheriffo, Haile Woldetensae, Ogbe Abraha, Hamid Himid, Saleh Idras Kekya, Estifanos Seyoum, Berhane Ghebrezgabiher, Aster Fesehazion, Germano Nati and Beraki Gebreselassie.
The petitioners would also like to see strengthened sanctions against human rights abusers in Eritrea.