There is much that Canada can do to help conflict resolution processes in Libya, Ukraine, Yemen and elsewhere. Here at home, FM Garneau should work to bring Canada into full compliance with our Cluster Munitions Treaty obligations.
Resumption of the Liberal minority Parliament on 27 January offers a golden opportunity for the Prime Minister and his government to build a progressive coalition in favour of tougher gun regulations, resumption of diplomatic relations with Iran and an export control policy that strengthens human rights and international law.
We welcome Canada’s long overdue accession to the global Arms Trade Treaty. But it will only be meaningful if it is accompanied by concrete action to end our complicity in the suffering of innocent Yemeni civilians by suspending the export of Canadian-made LAVs to Saudi Arabia.
In our Open Letter to the Prime Minister, civil society calls for an end to Canada’s unconscionable support for illegal, coercive measures against Venezuela in favour of impartial conflict resolution.
Veteran international affairs practitioner Robert Malley of the International Crisis Group previews 10 global conflicts, ongoing or incipient, that bear close scrutiny in 2019.