Ongoing concerns about human rights in Palestine and Israel.

May 2018 Issue No. 69

Quotation of the month

”[Israeli] Occupation is about control ... it is not about justice." - Brad Parker, International Advocacy Officer and Attorney for Defense for Children International - Palestine (DCIP).

Rights under endless occupation

From April 25 to 27, MCC Ottawa Office Director Jenn Wiebe joined staff from the United Church of Canada in meetings with MPs, senators and officials – highlighting ongoing human rights concerns in Palestine and Israel. They brought with them experts Michael Lynk, UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories, and Brad Parker, International Advocacy Officer and Attorney with Defense for Children International—Palestine (DCIP) to share their analysis of the situation.

Their message was clear: the human rights and humanitarian situation for Palestinians, especially in Gaza, is urgent, and prospects for a just and sustainable peace seem impossible if the status quo remains. Now is the time for Canada to step up and be a leader on the international arena.

Lynk and Parker were joined by Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May and Peggy Mason of the Rideau Institute for a public event on April 26. It was a full house, with engaged participation, as Lynk discussed international law and Gaza, and Brad Parker talked about the realities facing Palestinian children detained under the Israeli military court system. "[Israeli] occupation is about control...it is not about justice," says Brad Parker.

You too can support these efforts. Find out more about the event here; and tell the Canadian government that the holding of Palestinian children under military detention is No Way to Treat a Child.

War in Syria

The war in Syria has entered its eighth year, with few clear prospects for sustainable peace. MCC has sent several staff delegations to Syria and the region in the past 6 months, to support local partners, and bring home renewed calls for action.

In April 2018, MCC Humanitarian Response Director, Bruce Guenther, who was is Syria in November 2018, joined Policy Analyst Bekah Sears and Advocacy Research Intern Nicholas Pope meeting several MPs presenting calls to action on Syria, and Canada’s responsibilities including:

A condemnation of all violence;
A call for an immediate, comprehensive and inclusive peace process; and
A renewed commitment to address ongoing urgent humanitarian needs.

See also MCC Canada ED Rick Cober Bauman’s op-ed in the Winnipeg Free Press, an MCC Open Letter on Syria, and MCC’s Washington D.C. Office Director Rachelle Lyndaker-Schlabach’s call to “peace, not arms” in Syria.

New resource: Peace not arms

In the latest issue of MCC’s A Common Place, our colleague, MCC Washington Office director Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, writes about the war in Syria and how it has become a “proxy war between the Saudis and Iran, and between the U.S. and Russia,” with all groups vying for regional dominance. MCC partners in Syria call for an end to all foreign military involvement in their country.

Take action: End fossil fuel subsidies

Canada spends billions of dollars every year on subsidies to the oil, gas and coal industries. These subsidies encourage more (not less) production and consumption of fossil fuel, and also impede investments toward a clean energy economy. As global leaders prepare for the G7 summit in Quebec in early June, MCC coalition partner, KAIROS, urges the Minister of Finance to demonstrate “climate leadership” and end subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. Add your voice by sending your own letter – and even organizing a letter-writing party!

Opportunity

MCC Ottawa office is hiring a new public engagement coordinator who could work from either Winnipeg or Ottawa. Job description, start date and other information is available here. Help us spread the word about this important position! Resumes accepted until May 24, 2018.

Flowers bloom amid destruction in Homs, Syria

Staff update

In April MCC Ottawa Office staff were busy meeting with MPs about Syria and Palestine. Policy Analyst Bekah Sears and Advocacy Research Intern Nicholas Pope met with 3 MPs from 3 parties about MCC's work in Syria and Director Jenn Wiebe joined a delegation highlighting ongoing human rights concerns in Palestine and Israel in meetings with 14 MPs from 3 parties, and 2 Senators.