The House of Representatives has petitioned the Canadian High Commission demanding the prosecution of over one Amaka Patience Sunnberger for incitement to genocide and hate speech against Yoruba And Edo ethnic groups.
TheHintsNews reports that Sunnberger recently recorded making inflammatory statements that incite violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria.
She also advocated for the poisoning of food and water supplies to achieve their mass genocide.
However, the Chairman, Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, Hon. Biodun Omoleye, in a petition dated August 28, 2024 and addressed to Canadian High Commissioner, James Christoff, expressed concern over the actions of Sunnberger.
He said Sunnberger’s recorded statements constitute a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians.
The petition reads: “On behalf of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the actions of Ms. Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian citizen residing in Canada.
“Ms. Sunnberger 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.”
The House added that such rhetoric is dangerous and has the potential to incite real-world violence, both in Nigeria and within the Nigerian diaspora.
The chairman added that her incitement to violence and call for genocide through poisoning are not only deeply troubling but also represent a clear violation of multiple international, Canadian, and Ontario laws.
The Green Chamber pointed out that Sunnberger’s actions violate Article 20(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence.
It noted that her conduct also contravenes Article 4 of International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which mandates state parties to take effective measures against the dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, including the incitement to genocide.
The House stressed that promotion of genocide, as advocated by Sunnberger, directly violates Section 318 (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada, which criminalises the promotion or advocacy of genocide against any identifiable group.
It further noted that her public incitement of hatred against the Yoruba and Edo people is prohibited under Section 319 (1) of criminal code of Canada, which criminalises the communication of statements in public that incite hatred against any identifiable group, where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace violate
Considering the seriousness of these violations, the House demanded an immediate and thorough investigation should be conducted into Sunnberger’s actions by Canadian law enforcement and appropriate authorities.
The House said: “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.
“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.”