Saturday, July 29, 2017

Canada To Investigate Saudi Arabia's Use Of Canadian Made Military Against Its Own Citizens


Globe and Mail: Ottawa calls for investigation into Saudi Arabia’s apparent use of Canadian-made armoured vehicles against citizens

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland’s department says she is “deeply concerned” that Saudi Arabia’s rulers appear to be deploying Canadian-made armoured vehicles in an escalating conflict with Saudi citizens.

Ms. Freeland has asked officials to investigate the matter. Global Affairs Canada released a statement shortly after The Globe and Mail published a story Friday on the apparent use of Canadian-made combat vehicles in Saudi Arabia’s violence-plagued Eastern Province.

For the first time, video footage and photos have surfaced on social media allegedly showing the Islamic kingdom using Canadian weaponized equipment against Saudi civilians – a development that spurred calls Friday for the Liberal government to halt defence exports to the oil-rich nation.

Read more ....

Update #1: Reports of Saudi abuses using Canadian-made armoured vehicles cause 'deep concern' in Ottawa (National Post)
Update #2: Ottawa ready to review Saudi arms deals amid crackdown (CBC)
Update #3: Government to investigate report Canadian military vehicles used against civilians by Saudis (Toronto Star)

WNU editor:
Some of my Canadian readers have been pointing out this story to me for the past few days. This was also predicted last year. The Canadian export permits for these military products were approved last year even though many were concerned that this "Canadian equipment" was going to be be used by Saudi Arabia against its own citizens .... Canada Defends $15-billion Arms Deal With Saudi Arabia In Canadian Courts (December 21, 2016). Well .... as predicted .... that is what is happening .... but I sincerely doubt that the Canadian government is going to torpedo a $15 billion defense contract.

On a side note .... surprise surprise .... Canada is a big arms exporter to the Middle East (and the seventh biggest in the world) .... The Second Biggest Arms Exporter To The Middle East Is Canada (June 16, 2016).

3 comments:

Jay Farquharson said...

Since the deal, Canada's signed the Arms Trade Treaty,

As a result, future arms sales can be challenged on Humanitarian grounds, by the Opposition and by 3rd Parties in Court, if past arm sales were used by the buyer, to violate Human Rights.

Jac said...

you are a good guy Jay. What Canada don't sell other countries will do. You can't help: when a country want weapons it will buy it anyway. The only "good" side is Canadian will have a marvelous conscience and less jobs. Isn't is marvelous?
I know, you will answer with LFMAO...and that's ok.

Jay Farquharson said...

When I started my Companies, I often went to bed with less than a full stomach, but a clear consience.

Now, full stomach, don't have to work that hard, my staff don't have to work that hard, clear consciouses,

That's actually "the thing",

Our, ( Worker owned) businesses are built on imppcable trust with our customers, for "doing the right thing".

It's not that hard to always do "the right thing",

It's just not "easy".