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| Letter to
Pierre Pettrigrew, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on his
Statement commemorating International Human Rights Day DFAIT: CANADA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY December 10, 2004 I commend you Minister for the good sentiments you expressed in your speech celebrating International Human Rights Day. Your statement however is not consistent with the change in Canada's vote in the United Nations. By opposing "the Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories" and the "Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People," Canada has in effect opposed human rights for Palestinians, condoning the subjugation by Israel of Palestinians and their rights. It would be hypocritical to continue speaking of respect for human rights and stand by those who consider human rights for others a nuisance to be ignored. It would be contrary to how Canada has behaved as a world citizen, from the Suez Canal incident, to the fight against Apartheid. Successive Canadian governments, Liberal and Conservative, pushed hard for sanctions in spite of strong resistance from friends, starting with Prime Minister Diefenbaker's stand in the 1961 Commonwealth Conference that led to South Africa leaving the organization. The sanctions were violated by many including Israel who gave South Africa its nuclear capability and trained its special forces. In spite of resistance by some Western democracies to do what is right, justice and freedom for all prevailed. Canadians are proud to have been associated with the anti-apartheid struggle. As in the case of South Africa, many Canadians have been demonstrating against the Israeli military occupation and its brutal effects on the lives Palestinians. Many Canadians have enrolled with the International Solidarity Movement. Many Canadians wonder why there is such inconsistency in our applied policies. As Chair of the Human Security Network, Canada should therefore do more than "deliver a statement on the importance of human rights education as a tool for preventing human rights abuses." It should work actively to ensure respect of human rights for all, including Palestinians, and be ready to initiate a regime of sanctions in liaison with the international community if these rights are violated. I hope that this government will not let down those predecessors who stood up for what is right, feared not to confront problems and on the way earned Canada a sterling reputation for fairness and justice. I hope that your stand on the Palestinian issue will not be further compromised by pressures from a pro-Israel lobby. I hope that you will opt for what is right, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity, and act accordingly in all international fora. Sincerely, Bahija Réghaï Ottawa Your Comments canpalnet-ottawa.org |