Immediate Priorities for Renewed Liberal Leadership
September 21st, 2021
As the Liberal Party continues to take stage in Canadian government, elected leaders must openly and directly address human rights crises as Rohingya rights degradation, India’s crimes against humanity, Israeli apartheid, China’s persecution of Uighurs, and genocidal atrocities facing other persecuted minorities. Canada’s renewed leadership mandate presents a responsibility for Liberals to warn abusive governments that they will be held accountable under international law.
Canada’s 2021 elections are an opportunity for bold leadership on the international stage to recognize and address human rights issues of our time. Previously, Canadian politicians in power have not been proactive against discrimination and racism leading to structural and systemic disparities for global minorities marginalized and disenfranchised by repressive governments.
The Liberal’s former foreign policy outlook enabled human rights violations against Muslim populations internationally. For instance, Canada continues to facilitate multi-million-dollar arms sales to regimes like Saudi Arabia committing mass atrocities against Yemen. The lack of stringent controls on importing products from China manufactured with forced labour only prolongs the persecution of Uighur minorities and inadequate protections for Canadians detained abroad.
A disappointing series of decisions and actions by the Liberals have not been consistent with numerous international laws, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The alarmingly violent Islamophobia against Muslims in Canada was not made an election issue for the Liberal Party. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including the Liberal Cabinet, have failed to vote in support of a motion seeking to acknowledge China’s genocide of Uighur Muslims in East Turkestan (Xinjiang).
The fact that a diplomatic meeting with India did not address the country’s serious human rights violations against minorities and poor cooperation with the UN, demonstrates that a renewed term under a Liberal government must be improved. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the upcoming leadership are urged to treat human rights considerations as paramount when carrying-out and expanding foreign policy plans around the world.
“This election is a chance to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights at all levels. Justice For All Canada (JFAC) has sent letters to all elected candidates requesting them to commit to and implement specific concrete actions to the recommendations made,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director.
“Human rights groups and defenders will be monitoring the implementation throughout the newly elected term,” Ghayyur added.
Justice For All Canada has developed resources and guides helpful to tackle ongoing inequalities in Canada and globally:
As the Liberal Party continues to take stage in Canadian government, elected leaders must openly and directly address human rights crises as Rohingya rights degradation, India’s crimes against humanity, Israeli apartheid, China’s persecution of Uighurs, and genocidal atrocities facing other persecuted minorities. Canada’s renewed leadership mandate presents a responsibility for Liberals to warn abusive governments that they will be held accountable under international law.
Canada’s 2021 elections are an opportunity for bold leadership on the international stage to recognize and address human rights issues of our time. Previously, Canadian politicians in power have not been proactive against discrimination and racism leading to structural and systemic disparities for global minorities marginalized and disenfranchised by repressive governments.
The Liberal’s former foreign policy outlook enabled human rights violations against Muslim populations internationally. For instance, Canada continues to facilitate multi-million-dollar arms sales to regimes like Saudi Arabia committing mass atrocities against Yemen. The lack of stringent controls on importing products from China manufactured with forced labour only prolongs the persecution of Uighur minorities and inadequate protections for Canadians detained abroad.
A disappointing series of decisions and actions by the Liberals have not been consistent with numerous international laws, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The alarmingly violent Islamophobia against Muslims in Canada was not made an election issue for the Liberal Party. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including the Liberal Cabinet, have failed to vote in support of a motion seeking to acknowledge China’s genocide of Uighur Muslims in East Turkestan (Xinjiang).
The fact that a diplomatic meeting with India did not address the country’s serious human rights violations against minorities and poor cooperation with the UN, demonstrates that a renewed term under a Liberal government must be improved. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the upcoming leadership are urged to treat human rights considerations as paramount when carrying-out and expanding foreign policy plans around the world.
“This election is a chance to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights at all levels. Justice For All Canada (JFAC) has sent letters to all elected candidates requesting them to commit to and implement specific concrete actions to the recommendations made,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director.
“Human rights groups and defenders will be monitoring the implementation throughout the newly elected term,” Ghayyur added.
Justice For All Canada has developed resources and guides helpful to tackle ongoing inequalities in Canada and globally: