Canada’s rationalizations for continued arms exports to Saudi Arabia fly in the face of UN Expert Reports, evidence from Canadian and international NGOs working in Yemen and the far more restrictive practices by most of our western allies.
On Canada’s role in the global arms trade, in responding to the growing nuclear peril, and in helping end the dangerous American confrontation with Iran, the Justin Trudeau Liberals need concrete, credible and courageous diplomatic peacemaking and peacebuilding options.
International and domestic pressure increases as official figures show a dramatic surge in Canadian LAV exports to Saudi Arabia since the Prime Minister stated he was “looking for a way out of the Saudi arms deal”.
The Government of Canada’s shameful virtual silence stands in sharp contrast to the global outcry against the cruel and illegal Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes under the control of the Palestinian authority in East Jerusalem.
Today’s blog post looks at some important steps forward in the Yemeni peace process, French activism against selling arms to the Saudis and some hard-hitting questions for those who support the US-led effort to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
It’s not too soon to start thinking about the upcoming federal election. We are working hard to ensure there will be vigorous debate of Canada’s new arms export policy, the lack of leadership on nuclear disarmament and the need to do much, much more in support of UN peacekeeping.