Eritrean Laws of Oppression

Well that really set Eritrea back on its taxing heels, being formally directed by Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs that its consul will not receive an extension of his diplomatic status if the country continues to collect "taxes" from Canadians of Eritrean origin.

"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. ...Now instead of paying to my office they will pay it through the bank.  We have to tax our people, it is our right."
Semere O. Micael, Eritrean consul in Toronto

And so, there appears to be a diplomatic stand-off.  Ottawa's diplomatic note has been deciphered as Eritrea wishes it to be perceived.  Consul Micael, under Eritrea's interpretation of the note may not be made persona non grata, since he will no longer continue to operate his country's extortionate tax on those who have severed personal relations with the country, but whose families continue to reside there, making them a handy threat should taxes not be forthcoming.

With no formal economy Eritrea demands that Eritreans living abroad submit at least 2% of whatever income they have to the country in the form of a national defence levy.  Those who choose not to pay become the victims of harassment and threats.  Reprisals against family members still living in Eritrea become a constant fear, and most people simply end up submitting to the demands to ensure their family members do not become revenge targets.

The UN Security Council last year passed a resolution condemning Eritrea for its "extortion, threats of violence, fraud and other illicit means to collect taxes outside of Eritrea", and for their use of the "diaspora tax" to enable them to purchase arms for rebel groups.  After receiving the diplomatic note from Ottawa that threatened removal of accreditation for Mr. Micael, Eritrea agreed he would no longer collect those taxes.

However, it was also pointed out by Mr. Micael that the taxes are a matter of Eritrean law, and not at all optional but mandatory.  "If they are going to get a service, they have to pay, but I am not the one.  I just won't collect it.  But they have to pay.  Every Eritrean is paying it, so if they are Eritrean they have to pay it on their own way, you know.  Instead of paying to the consulate they will send it to Eritrea."

And although the tax funding formula clearly states it to be for national defence purposes, Mr. Micael denies the money is for military purposes.  Aside from its own military procurements, it is internationally agreed that Eritrea uses its funding to aid armed groups such as Al-Shabab in Somalia, aligned with al-Qaeda.

Next up: Ottawa's response.