Expel the Consul, Ban The 2% Taxation Practice In Canada

Expel the Consul, Close the Eritrean Consulate In Toronto and Ban The 2% Taxation Practice in Canada

The Canadian Government recently demanded that the Eritrean Consulate in Toronto stop collecting the 2% extortion tax from Eritrean Canadians. The Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed in writing that it will comply with Canada’s request.  However, we have learned from Eritrean Consul Semere Ghebremariam O. Micael’s interview with the National Post published on September 22, that the Eritrean Foreign Ministry simply made this concession to have the consul’s credentials renewed in Canada.  The consul further indicates that they fully intend to continue collecting the illegal tax.

 “We have to tax our people, it is our right. I am not going to collect the tax in my office. That’s all. That’s what the Canadian government was asking and they got the response,” he said.  “It doesn’t mean we stop collecting.… Now instead of paying to my office they will pay it through the bank.”

The Consul clearly has not taken seriously Canada’s demand.  This should be valid and sufficient reason to expel him from Canada and close the consulate here.

The Eritrean Consulate has been using intimidation, threats and harassment in order to collect the unlawful levy.  The consul’s most recent statement indicates Eritrean Canadians will continue to be victimized.

We, Eritrean Canadians who have been victimized in the past by the illegal activities of the Eritrean Consulate and do not want to be victimized again, call upon the Canadian government to expel the Consul from Canada and to close the Eritrean consulate in this country and ban the 2% taxation practice in Canada immediately. This clearly is the only solution to end the misery of Eritrean Canadian citizens.  Otherwise, the consulate will devise different tactics in order to continue undermining Canadian law and to extort Canadian citizens.

Eritrean Canadian Human Rights Group