Douglas Roche O.C.

Happy United Nations Day, as the UN turns 80 today. Far from perfect, of course. Wrenching failures, absolutely. But in a time of doubters, naysayers, dismantling & massive funding cuts from so many corners, it was tremendous to join @ElizabethMay & @douglasroche for a parliamentary press conference this morning, lifting up the UN’s irreplaceable importance & steps Canada must take to bolster its vital role in our deeply troubled, riven world.

In our Open Letter to @MarkJCarney & @AnitaAnandMP, 412 legal, human rights, diplomatic, international affairs, social justice, UN, civil society, faith & labour leaders & experts make it unflinchingly clear: Canada must act to end genocide in #Gaza. Waiting, vacillating, remaining silent and failing or, worse, refusing to act in the face of mounting and incontrovertible evidence of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity can no longer be options for Canada. But it is not enough to simply speak out. Canada must do everything in its power to stop these atrocities and support efforts to bring those responsible to account. That requires immediate action in five priority areas and galvanizing joint measures at next week's #G7Summit: 1. Work actively towards an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the release of all Israeli and Palestinian captives. 2. Insist on full humanitarian access to Gaza in a manner in keeping with core humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence, and demand that the Israeli ban on the UN Relief and Works Agency be completely lifted. 3. Publicly support the role of and fully comply with international courts in holding to account those who violate international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and Israel. 4. Pursue all possible domestic measures, including immediately withdrawing from the free trade agreement between Canada and Israel, imposing sanctions on Israeli leaders and other individuals suspected of involvement in atrocity crimes, initiating investigations into charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (including any Canadians or dual nationals involved in such crimes) with the aim of prosecuting offenders in Canada or other jurisdictions, enforcing a full and comprehensive two-way arms embargo, and stripping charitable status from organizations found to be complicit in crimes under international law. 5. Without further delay, join the 149 states who recognize the State of Palestine and support all efforts for Palestine to be admitted as a full member of the United Nations. We end noting that ... "Prime Minister, there is no question as to which side of history Canada belongs. Because of Canada’s proclaimed “shared values” and close relationship with Israel, Ottawa must spare no effort to bring the genocide in Gaza, and the war crimes and crimes against humanity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, to an immediate end. Upholding international law is the only avenue through which not only peace, justice and human rights, but the durable, long-term security of Israelis and Palestinians alike will be achieved." alexneve.ca/blog/prime-minis…

In today's @TheHillTimes -- coming out of a recent @ploughshares_ca @Pugwash_Group @CNANW1 #CNWC roundtable -- we offer @melaniejoly a 5-point agenda for renewed Canadian action on nuclear disarmament. So urgent in today's turbulent, riven world.