NUPGE criticizes Canada's support for Gaza attack

Only country to vote against UN Human Rights Council motion condemning Israeli action

Ottawa (13 Jan. 2009) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has written Prime Minister Harper demanding that Canada take a stronger position against Israel's attack on Gaza and also to do more to evacuate citizens caught in the line of fire.

The letter follows a vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in which Canada was the sole country among 47 nations to oppose a motion condemning the attack.

Canada's opposition is seen as a move away from it's historically more neutral stance in international peace making.

In his letter to Harper, NUPGE president James Clancy says "Canada needs to restore its reputation as a peacemaker on the global stage."

The union calls on the government to "condemn, in the strongest possible terms, Israel's attack on the people of Gaza."

"While we do not condone the aggression of Hamas, the actions of Israel constitute gross violations of the human rights of the Palestinians," the letter says.
Full Text of NUPGE letter to Harper:

January 13, 2009

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

Along with all Canadians, the members of the National Union of Public and General Employees have been watching events unfold in Gaza with increasing concern.

The evacuation of Canadians trapped in Gaza must be made a greater priority by your government. Canada’s slow, and largely ineffective, response to the threat to our citizens in Gaza is a disgrace. Most nations of the world managed to evacuate their people by January 1st. And yet many Canadians remain at risk in the area waiting for your government to act.

We call on you to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, Israel’s attack on the people of Gaza. While we do not condone the aggression of Hamas, the actions of Israel constitute gross violations of the human rights of the Palestinians.

The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and UN facilities calls for immediate and strong condemnation by your government. Attacks on public services can only have the purpose of inflicting even greater suffering on the people of Gaza.

Canada needs to restore its reputation as a peacemaker on the global stage. To do so I urge your government to take the following steps:

* Demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities by both parties accompanied by the resumption of a meaningful peace process – a solution to the crisis will only come from a negotiated settlement built on the foundation of existing UN resolutions;
* Demanding an end to the economic blockade of Palestine so as to allow the people to build a sustainable and secure future – help them end the cycle of violence through freedom, security and prosperity. This includes urging Israel to reopen the border crossings to allow essential aid to reach the 1.5 million people of Gaza who have been suffering under the year long blockade; and
* Immediately starting shipments from Canada of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and providing greater financial support for the reconstruction of basic infrastructure.

Finally, the National Union once again calls on your government to embark on a broad foreign policy consultation with Canadians and civil society organizations to ensure Canada has an independent and principled policy on foreign affairs.

As a nation we need to chart a foreign policy course for the future. Such a foreign policy must be premised on the values and strengths of Canadians – solidarity, compassion and a commitment to peace.

I look forward to hearing from you on these matters.

Sincerely yours,

(original signed by)

James Clancy
National President

cc: National Executive Board, NUPGE

* NOTE: NUPGE represents the following unions: http://www.nupge.ca/weblinks/51