‘Canada will take decisive action’ if Eritrean consulate is still extorting expatriates, Foreign Ministry says
TORONTO — The Foreign Affairs department is investigating the Eritrean consulate in Toronto after allegations it continues to play a key role in a dubious tax scheme that has been linked to threats, harassment and intimidation. A
TORONTO — The Foreign Affairs department is investigating the Eritrean consulate in Toronto after allegations it continues to play a key role in a dubious tax scheme that has been linked to threats, harassment and intimidation.
A government source said Eritrea would face repercussions, including the possible closure of its consulate, if the investigation confirmed the diplomatic post had defiedOttawa’s repeated demands that it stop soliciting a “diaspora tax.”
“Government officials are currently reviewing this situation,” said Adam Hodge, a spokesman for Foreign Minister John Baird.
“We have made our position on this matter clear to the Eritreans, and we expect them to abide by it. Should Eritrea fail to comply with our demands, Canada will take decisive action.”
The comments came after the National Post revealed that, a year after Mr. Baird expelled the repressive African regime’s consul-general over the tax scheme, the consulate remained closely involved in collecting a 2% tax from Eritreans living in Canada.
“No, we are not involved,” countered Ahmed Iman, a consulate official.
National Post – Canada
Wedi Tororonto June 21, 2014
“No, we are not involved”…….Sure, Mr Integrity; like you would tell the honest truth!
If it is not to extort money, why the heck do you have a dozen staff in Toronto? It is not as though the Mafia PFDJ cares for the well being of Eritreans. If it did, it would do so for the Eritreans at home. Instead it brutalizes and victimizes them to the nth degree and as a result the country’s youth and those older people who are able to are fleeing the cursed land. Your regime of course sees shamelessly as a win win strategy:get rid off potential threat from the youth by disappearing them and by forcing them to flee, while at the same time you benefit by collecting protection money once they are abroad in the form of 2 % tax! The victimization continues.
Canada, Eritreans are proud of you. Please pursue this matter and stop PFDJ”s Mafia Operation.
While I am at it, since I am sure this is being read by Foreign Affairs, please obtain a copy of Eritrea”s Former Information”s (ali Abdu) PIF in Australia: in it he makes it very clear that the Toronto Eritrean Consulate has agents that are doing pfdj’s dirt work (he mentions that a certain Estifanos has been looking for his wife who has asked asylum in Canada, to eliminate her). Ali claims he has all the proof. This PIF is in the public domain due to the breach to Australia’s Immigration website a few months ago.
Wedi Tororonto June 21, 2014
“Former Information” should read “Eritrea”s Former Information Minister”
simerrr2012 June 21, 2014
To expect Eritrean regime to stop collecting money by intimidating Eritrean Canadian and poor refuges is like telling Italian mafia or Colombian, Mexico drug boss to stop dealing with drugs. Canada just close the Consulate and Canada save place for Eritreans. Eritreans have full right to live in peace in a free country. Enough what they have suffered in Eritrea.
goitom June 21, 2014
Do they expect the eritrean government to say that we will not stop collecting 2%. They will continue but will change the method. 2% is illegal but a blood stream for hgdf. they never practice anything legally, they think the world is a jungle like eritrea which they could do anything illegal. it is shame for hgdf. Eritrean human right groups are doing well in canada. we are with you.
SAMMY June 21, 2014
Well Get Ready Estifonos And His Supporters Like Mehari Mana To Get A Job In Tim Hortens BYE BYE LOSERS KKKK
Berhe Tensea June 21, 2014
The mafia regime will not stop collecting taxes or other income using different pretexts. The regime that is unable manage the Eritrean economy. Its expenditure on security, and spying activity is in millions of dollars.
The regime also has to inport alcohol to the thousands of addicted officials. It is also wasting too much on propoganda to confuse the masses.
The only revenue is from the innocent people using intimidation and dubious tacticts.
Down with the Tembein regime.
Gideon June 21, 2014
Kicking the Eritrean consul out of Canada won’t stop expats here from
from being shaken down for money by the long arm of the Eritrean regime. This
would only be a half-hearted measure. If the federal government of Canada truly
want to stop the collection of funds for the regime, it should close the consulate
and go after Eritrean regime agents living in cities across Canada and extorting money.
These agents collect the two per cent tax and intimidate and divide community instead of
focusing on resettlement and helping people to get employment and healing from the wound,
we endured from the regime. Local community leaders are also taking advantage of new comers’
vulnerability , pressing them for money. They have a system and they play it to support a
brutal dictator that is the community leaders.
solomon eritrean June 23, 2014
It is not enough the canadan government should take military action suppored by US like what they did to Gadafi of libya!!As NATO it takes only 10 munites for this regime!1