Canada is not doing enough to prevent “the genocide of the Palestinian people”, insisted the United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese, visiting the country .
At a press conference in parliament, Ms. Albanese deplored a cold reception from the Canadian political class, whose members either refused to meet her or withdrew their invitation.
It seems that my words and my candid reading of the facts, of international law and justice, and my insistence on speaking honestly about the genocide taking place in Gaza and the serious risk of it spreading throughout the region are frightening the political class and those in power, including economic and financial powers
thundered the special rapporteur in a thirty-minute speech laden with criticism of the Canadian government.
When there are violations of international law as serious as these, and frankly Israel was committing them before October 7, […] all forms of assistance, support and collaboration with illegal conduct must cease. This is why Canada must review everything, and anything deemed dangerous for Palestinian rights must be suspended immediately.
According to the UN Special Rapporteur, international law requires that:
-
Arms export licenses to Israel be “all cancelled”;
-
Canada demonstrates “transparency on indirect arms transfers by third countries”;
-
Economic agreements with Israel “must be reviewed urgently”;
-
“Palestinian refugees and forcibly displaced persons are accepted on Canadian territory and receive appropriate protections”;
-
Canada “names things as they are”, namely “that a genocide is underway against the Palestinian people” and that “the Israeli occupation of the territories is illegal”, and that it “acts accordingly”.
Ms. Albanese was also critical of the crimes committed by Hamas militants against Israeli civilians during the deadly assault of October 7, 2023, which must be punished, she said.
The Israeli ambassador to Canada said deeply disturbed by the fact that the United Nations special rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, was given a platform [sur la colline du Parlement] to express his tendentious and anti-Semitic positions regarding the war between Hamas and Israel
.
Weapons transfer
The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, affirmed last September that no weapon or weapon component manufactured in Canada would be sent
in the Gaza Strip. The policy is clear. There are no Canadian weapons or weapons components that will end up in Gaza. That’s all
argued Ms. Joly. She clarified that this also concerned indirect shipments of arms.
Open in full screen mode
Demonstrators gathered in front of the General Dynamics company social hall in Repentigny last September, demanding to cancel sales of Quebec-made weapons to Israel. (Archive photo)
Photo : - / Ivanoh Demers
The minister was then referring to the United States, which approved the sale of a batch of weapons to Israel worth a total of 20 billion US dollars. This sale includes a contract for Quebec-made ammunition, including 50,000 mortar shells manufactured by the company General Dynamics Defense Products and Tactical Systems–Canada, whose head office and ammunition factory are located in Repentigny, Quebec .
Our goal is to ensure that there are no Canadian weapons or weapons components sent to Gaza and that is why I am in contact with the company General Dynamics
declared Minister Joly at a press briefing, adding that since January 8, no new permits have been issued for the shipment of weapons or weapons components to Israel
.
She claims to have suspended around thirty existing permits during the summer.
Canadian position
Canada supports Israel’s right to live in peace with its neighbors within secure borders and recognizes its right to ensure its own security
indicates Global Affairs Canada. Under international law, Israel has the right to implement necessary measures, in accordance with human rights and international humanitarian law, to protect its citizens against attacks by terrorist groups.
Canada recognizes the right of Palestinians to self-determination and supports the creation of a sovereign, independent, viable, democratic Palestinian state with a single territory. Canada is prepared to recognize a Palestinian state at the most favorable time for lasting peace, even if it is not the final step towards achieving the two-state solution.
Canada fully subscribes to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East and the creation of a Palestinian state coexisting with Israel in peace and security.
Genocide live
In Gaza, we are forced to watch as Israel’s constant bombardments, snipers and artillery fire continue to spare no one
declared Francesca Albanese at a press conference.
The special rapporteur of theHIM investigated the situation for a year to produce its report entitled Colonial erasure through genocidewhere she denounces what she describes as the “first colonial genocide broadcast live” and which targets the Palestinian people.
It is clear to me that Canadians want more clarity, integrity and concrete actions from their government on the atrocities we all see taking place in Palestine.
The crime of genocide consists of actions accompanied by the intention to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic, racial or religious group as such, Albanese said at a press conference. While the destruction of the group is interpreted in physical and biological terms, cases vary where the very foundation of the group is attacked, including the destruction of the spirit, its desire to live, and life itself.
So, when trying to determine state intent to destroy a group, we must keep in mind that genocide is a process, not a single action, which includes a plurality of actions and actors. So the key is to identify the thread of intentions in this collective behavior
she defined.
The destruction of the Gaza Strip is such that the Palestinians will have nothing left when the war ends, she lamented.
But the word genocide
is debated within the international community to describe the situation in the Gaza Strip.
With the support of other countries, South Africa filed a petition with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to stop Israeli military actions in Gaza. The latter affirms that Israel has engaged, is engaging and risks continuing to engage in acts of genocide
against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Israel categorically denies that its operations could amount to genocide. Its spokesperson instead accused Hamas of having organized a genocide campaign
towards the Israelis. There CIJ has still not spoken.
With information from Rania Massoud
