The house of representatives committee on diaspora matters has asked the Canadian government to prosecute one Amaka Patience Sunnberger for “hate speech”.
The request is contained in a letter jointly signed by
Tochukwu Okere, chairman of the committee; and Biodun Omoleye, chairman of
Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group.
In a viral TikTok clip, Sunnberger, a Canada-based woman,
allegedly threatened to kill fellow Nigerians living in the North American
country.
“Record me, it’s time to start poisoning the meals of the
Yorubas and Benin people, poison their food and drinks at work so they can
begin to die one by one,” she said.
In the letter dated August 28, 2024 and addressed to James
Christoff, Canada’s high commissioner to Nigeria, the lawmakers said
Sunnberger’s comments “are a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions
of Nigerians”.
“On behalf of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship
Group, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the actions of Ms.
Amaka Patience Sunberger, a Nigerian citizen residing in Canada,” the letter
reads.
“Ms. Sunberger has recently been recorded making
inflammatory statements that incite violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic
groups in Nigeria, including advocating for the poisoning of food and water
supplies to achieve their mass genocide.”
According to the lawmakers, the “incitement to violence and
call for genocide through poisoning” are “deeply troubling and are a clear
violation of international and Canadian laws such as national, racial, or
religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or
violence”.
“Such rhetoric is dangerous and has the potential to incite
real-world violence, both in Nigeria and within the Nigerian diaspora,” the
legislators said.
THE REQUEST
The lawmakers demanded that an “immediate and thorough
investigation” be conducted into Sunberger’s actions by Canadian law
enforcement and appropriate authorities.
“We urge that Ms.
Sunnberger be prosecuted under the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of
Canada to hold her accountable for her incitement to genocide and hate speech,”
the lawmakers said.
“We request that the Canadian government issue a public
condemnation of Ms. Sunnberger’s actions to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to
combatting hate speech, violence, and genocide.
“We also request that Canadian authorities collaborate with
Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence because of
Ms. Sunnberger’s incitement, and to ensure that justice is served.
“Canada and Nigeria share a strong bilateral relationship
founded on mutual respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“The actions of Ms.
Sunnberger threaten to undermine these values. We trust that you will take all
necessary steps to address this issue in accordance with Canadian and
international law.”
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