Somalia: Information on the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in human rights abuses or restrictions 1963 to 1989
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SOM16804.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Information on the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in human rights abuses or restrictions 1963 to 1989, 1 April 1994, SOM16804.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab734c.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information on the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in human rights abuses or restrictions from 1963 to 1989 could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB. However, the following information obtained from the Refugee Program Officer at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, International Service (25 March 1994),
On 12 October 1993, the Minister of Immigration designated that the Somali government of Siad Barre (from 1969 to 1991) is a government described under section 19(1)(I) of the Act:
persons who are or were senior members of or senior officials in the service of a government that is or was, in the opinion of the Minister, engaged in terrorism, systematic or gross human rights violations or war crimes or crimes against humanity within the meaning of subsection 7(3.76) of the Criminal Code, except persons who have satisfied the Minister that their admission would not be detrimental to the national interest.
She further states that
Section 19(1.1) of the Act provides a meaning for the term "senior official." This section provides that senior officials are those who by virtue of their position were able to exert a significant influence on the exercise of government power. In addition, section 19(1.1) includes a list of positions whose holders are deemed, by virtue of their positions, to exert significant influence, For example, a senior diplomat of the Siad Barre regime [section 19(1.1)(F) is deemed to be a senior official in the meaning of subsections 19(1)(I) and 19(1.1) even if he/she did not exert a significant influence on the exercise of government power" (ibid.).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Citizen and Immigration Canada, International Service. 25 March 1994. Letter received by fax.
