The Subcommittee on International Human Rights met to study internally and externally displaced people worldwide. Witnesses included David Smolansky, senior adviser to María Corina Machado; Einat Wilf, author and teacher of Zionism; Amali Tower, founder of Climate Refugees; Kawser Ahmed, executive director of the Conflict and Resilience Research Institute Canada; Anne Kathrin Schaefer, deputy director at the International Organization for Migration; and Ndeye Dieynaba Ndiaye, founder of the Observatory on International Migration, Refugees, Stateless Persons and Asylum.
David Smolansky testified that nearly nine million Venezuelans have fled due to a brutal dictatorship, not war or natural disaster, making it the largest migration outflow globally. He argued that the only sustainable way to stop displacement and encourage return is full restoration of democracy and freedom, and noted that Venezuelan refugees with asylum status may be excluded from a proposed amnesty law, putting them at risk if they return.
Einat Wilf warned that rising anti-Zionism could lead to mass displacement of Jews from Canada, citing historical patterns where anti-Zionist ideology forced Jews out of Arab countries, Iran, and the Soviet Union. She argued that institutionalizing anti-Zionism, such as through proposed legislation, would make Jewish life impossible, and criticized UNRWA for perpetuating refugee status for political purposes rather than resettling people.
Amali Tower highlighted that 117 million people are displaced globally, with climate change and conflict as key drivers, and urged Canada to fill the U.S. void in international cooperation. She recommended expanding refugee admissions, introducing mobility pathways for climate-displaced people, scaling climate finance, and opposing Bill C-12, which she said would harm refugee protection.
Kawser Ahmed emphasized that humanitarian aid alone cannot resolve displacement; durable solutions require addressing root causes like conflict and statelessness, as seen with the Rohingya. He proposed a five-pronged approach including peace mediation, reconstruction pathways, and regional engagement through ASEAN, and argued that token resettlement is insufficient—return must be safe and dignified.
Anne Kathrin Schaefer reported that 83.4 million people were internally displaced at the end of 2024, with nearly half displaced for over five years, and noted that conflict and climate change are converging drivers. She stressed the need for solutions from the onset of crises, robust data systems, and locally led integration, while warning that the international funding landscape for humanitarian assistance is dire.
Ndeye Dieynaba Ndiaye argued that migration is a social fact, not a problem, and that Canada should adopt gradual, long-term immigration policies of at least 10 years. She criticized the outsourcing of migration management to third countries and called for partnerships with diasporas, citing the Norwegian model as a working example of gradual settlement and voluntary return.
During questions, Einat Wilf and Anne Kathrin Schaefer disagreed on UNRWA: Wilf called it an arsonist that perpetuates conflict, while Schaefer stated there is no alternative for providing life-saving assistance in Gaza. David Smolansky noted that Canada allows expired Venezuelan passports, a rare exception. The meeting included no procedural debate, motions, or votes.
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