Over 400 prominent Canadians urge Prime Minister to take decisive action to end genocide in Gaza
An influential group of 412 Canadians, including former ambassadors, ministers, United Nations human rights experts, academics, and faith leaders, has issued an open letter to Prime Minister Carney calling for "decisive action to end genocide in Gaza."
The letter marks a significant escalation in public pressure on the government to adopt a more forceful stance on the human rights and humanitarian crisis, which the signatories note has now entered its twentieth month.
The signatories represent a broad and distinguished cross-section of Canadian society, featuring lawyers, retired public servants, and leaders from civil society and labour organizations.
Their collective message underscores a deep concern over the catastrophic conditions in Gaza and what they describe as Canada's legal and moral obligation to act.
"Israel's actions in Gaza are broadly understood by international law experts and leading human rights organizations as constituting genocide,"1 the letter states. "We write with the demand and expectation that Canada must do everything in its power to stop these atrocities and support efforts to bring those responsible to account."
The letter outlines five priority areas for immediate Canadian action:
- Ceasefire and Release of Captives: To work actively for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, alongside the release of all unlawfully held Israeli and Palestinian captives.
- Full Humanitarian Access: To insist on complete and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza and demand the reversal of the ban on the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
- Support for International Courts: To publicly support and comply with the work of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in holding violators of international law accountable.
- Domestic Measures: To pursue all possible measures within Canada, including imposing sanctions on Israeli leaders, enforcing a comprehensive two-way arms embargo, and initiating investigations under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.
- Recognition of Palestinian Statehood: To join the 149 nations that have recognized the State of Palestine and support its admission as a full member of the United Nations.
The letter's release is timed ahead of the upcoming G7 Summit, which will be hosted by Prime Minister Carney.
The signatories emphasize that the summit presents a "crucial opportunity for concerted action" that must be seized.
The collective weight of the signatories, particularly the inclusion of former high-ranking diplomats and legal experts, adds considerable pressure on the government to address the demands outlined in the letter.
(Source: Alex Neve)