Statement by the Liberal Caucus on the Crisis in Sudan and Darfur
Questions[0]12/11/07Liberal Party of Canada
OTTAWA ? This week, as Canadians celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lester B. Pearson?s Nobel Peace Prize, the Liberal Party under St?phane Dion?s leadership rededicates itself to Pearson?s vision of Canada as a champion of peace and sustainable development.
International Human Rights Day ?December 10?is a perfect occasion for Liberals to restate our commitment to Pearson?s vision and to apply it to Africa, specifically Sudan and Darfur.
The UN is running multiple peacekeeping operations from Congo through to Darfur but they lack strategic coordination and tactical support from member states.
In Sudan, the North-South peace process, the foundation for peace in the entire country, is faltering. In Darfur itself, peace has all but broken down. Women throughout the region are being raped. People taking refuge in displaced persons camps?whom the international community vowed to protect?lack security. Civilians continue to be killed, terrorized and driven from their home by the Janjaweed and other elements. At the United Nations, the international community is struggling to deploy the AU/UN peace-keeping mission to Darfur. Global climate change is exacerbating ethnic, tribal and resource conflicts throughout the region.
If this complex crisis is not addressed, there will be the prospect of worsening humanitarian crisis, renewed civil war and instability in the entire region.
The Conservative government has abandoned Canadian leadership in Africa. It is up to Liberals to revitalize Canada?s commitment to the continent.
Today, we articulate a new policy vision of Canada?s commitment to peace and sustainable development in Africa. This vision has four key elements:
1. Strengthening the International Commitment to Africa
o Canada should appoint a high level regional coordinator/envoy to work with donors, troop contributing countries and the UN to improve co-ordination of UN missions in the region.
o Canada should increase Canadian bilateral and multilateral aid and trade to Africa.
2. Rescuing the North-South Peace Process in Sudan
o Canada should convene a conference to review the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and re-engage partners in compliance with their commitments.
3. Re-Energizing the Darfur Peace Process
o Canada?s high level regional coordinator/envoy (see above) should reenergize the US-Norway-Canada-UN contact group, engage China and help international community to coalesce rebel movements into a reliable partner for peace.
o Canada should provide all possible assistance to the International Criminal Court in its attempts to bring to justice those responsible for crimes against humanity, crimes against women, massacre and war crimes.
4. Strengthening the UN/AU Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur
o In response to the UN Secretary General?s urgent call, Canada should provide a comprehensive assistance package to the UN/AU mission consisting of lift capability, trucks and helicopters, signals and communication capability, HQ staff.
Under Mr. Dion?s leadership, the Liberal team on Africa has kept faith with the Pearson legacy. We will work with key stakeholders in the NGO community and we will campaign in Parliament and across the country to press for sustained Canadian action.
Michael Ignatieff
The Hon. Bob Rae
The Hon. Irwin Cotler
The Hon. Keith Martin
Glen Pearson
The Hon. Bryon Wilfert
Bernard Patry
The Hon. Mobina Jaffer
The Hon. Romeo Dallaire
TAG(S) - Foreign Affairs - Sudan
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