(OTTAWA) - Following the passing of a resolution in the European Parliament on February 25, Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, asked the House of Commons for unanimous consent to pass motion M-48 to raise attention to the alarming deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen.
“Though this motion did not pass, I am hopeful that it brought some much needed attention to the extremely concerning situation in Yemen. I am horrified to read about the truly untenable conditions for civilians. So much of what is happening shows a brazen disregard for international law, from the use of cluster munitions by the Saudi-led coalition to the use of landmines by Houthi forces. More than 2.5 million people are living in displacement and hospitals, weddings, markets and so many other civilian centres are being targeted. The violence must end and we must take a stand.
As U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: ‘Yemen is in flames and coalition airstrikes in particular continue to strike schools, hospitals, mosques and civilian infrastructure.’ Ban stressed the need to control ‘arms flows to actors that may use them in ways that breach international humanitarian law.’
“Though the conflict is complex, it is clear that Saudi Arabia is acting in violation of international law. It appears that Saudi forces are using Canadian-made combat vehicles in Yemen. We must end our complicity. We must end our silence. Canada cannot justify selling combat vehicles or any arms to the authors of such destruction.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Daniel Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
Green Party of Canada | Parti vert du Canada
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
(613) 614-4916