CAN CONGO BE SAVED?

Opened on November 06, 2008 | Contact Petition Author

TO: Steven Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada We, the undersigned, call upon the Prime Minister Steven Harper and his government to not turn a blind eye to the on-going military escalation in eastern Congo, to mass displacement, the humanitarian crisis, famine and the use of gang rape and other forms of sexual violence against women and young girls due to political allegiance or for control of rich mining areas. We further urge the Prime Minister to personally condemn, in the strongest terms, the on-going military escalation and deplore the human suffering, mass displacement, killing and countless number of sexual atrocities against women and young girls. In support of Canadian values for human rights, including respect and dignity of all human beings, we ask the Canadian Government to support the Congolese people and enact the following: 1) Call upon all warring parties to immediately stop attacks on hospitals, schools and churches and their surroundings and to recognize and regard such sites as safe zones; 2) Ensure that the civilian population is respected and protected in all circumstances, in accordance with the principle of distinction between civilian and military targets and thus avoiding indiscriminate attacks; 3) Call upon all warring parties in this war to immediately end campaigns of sexual atrocities, ethnic cleansing and to fully respect and observe humanitarian laws and internationally agreed human rights; 4) Demand that Mr. Paul Kagame -President of Rwanda, and Mr. Yoweri Museveni -President of Uganda, immediately cease all forms of support to Laurent Nkunda and his militia group; 5) Insist that health professionals, human rights defenders and Aid workers and their supplies are given unhindered access to all war affected areas; 6) Make it clear that, in the event that the above demands are not met, the Canadian Government will impose targeted diplomatic, economic and political measures against all those implicated in this conflict. We thank you for your support. Hand In Hand for Peace Team