What does a cholera outbreak in Yemen have to do with the effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)? Everything.
Open letter to the PM re: arms exports to Saudi Arabia
The undersigned, representing a cross-section of Canadian civil society organizations focused on arms controls, human rights, international security, humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians in conflict, are writing to follow up on a letter that was sent you five months ago, outlining ongoing concerns about Canada’s export of LAVs to Saudi Arabia.
What’s new in the world of autonomous weapons?
The call by some states and civil society for the regulation of autonomous weapons continues. But concern is also being expressed that investment and research in autonomous weapons systems are outpacing regulation. In advance of the August meetings of the Group of Governmental Experts at the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), here’s an overview of recent developments. 1. The …
Canada’s reluctant participation in peacekeeping in Mali: What it reveals
When Canada announced that it would not be extending its commitment to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali beyond one year, few were surprised. But many are perplexed that Canada is reportedly unwilling to consider a UN request to extend its mission until a replacement Romanian contingent arrives in October, a mere three-months extension. On April 5, a House …
Arms sales, murder, and the illusion of firmness
While the Jamal Khashoggi murder illustrated the Saudi regime’s contempt for human rights and warranted intense media attention, it was only the latest incident in a consistent pattern of repression and human-rights violations at home and abroad.
Canada’s future role in UN peace operations
It has been almost three decades since Canada was among the leading contributors of troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions. In late 2017, the government announced Canada’s return to peace operations and, in March 2018, Canada deployed an Air Task Force to the UN mission in Mali. With the one-year period allotted for the Canadian mission coming to an end …
Canadian Council of Churches urges Ottawa to support nuclear ban treaty
December 21, 2018 The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 Email: pm@pm.gc.ca Re: The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Dear Prime Minister Trudeau We, the undersigned, representing all 26 member denominations of The Canadian Council of Churches, write to urge that the …
Bill C-47: Remarks to the Senate Standing Committee
U.S. reporting and licensing exemptions not consistent with ATT obligations Remarks to the Canadian Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development – Delivered November 29, 2018 Published in The Ploughshares Monitor Volume 39 Issue 4 Winter 2018 by Cesar Jaramillo Thank you very much for the kind invitation to address this committee. For decades, efforts to better regulate illicit and …
Canada and the Global Compact on Refugees
The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), a new international framework, is expected to be adopted by the end of this year. It aims to reenergize the international refugee regime, the core of which is the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (Refugee Convention), and encourage states to commit to protecting forced migrants. The GCR’s Final Draft clearly says …
Federal Court grants organizations standing in legal challenge of Safe Third Country Agreement
Media Release En français 12 December 2017 The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR), Amnesty International (AI) and the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) welcomed the order made yesterday by the Federal Court granting the organizations public interest standing, in the legal challenge of the designation of the United States as a safe third country for refugees. The Court’s order came …