Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 5:13 PM
Subject: Voting at UN Human Rights
Commission.
Canada Palestine Association
POBox 1085,
Halifax, NS. B3J 2X1
18 April, 2002
The Hon. Mr. Bill Graham, M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dear Mr. Graham:
The reports of our country's voting record at he UN Human
Rights Commission are appalling. Reports from all human rights groups, including
Amnesty International, the International Commission of
Jurists and Israeli leading human rights group, B'Tselem,
speak of systematic abuse and human rights violations and massacres in
the Palestinian occupied territories committed by Israeli armed forces. UN envoy
to the Middle East, Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen, described Israeli
actions, in Jenin refugee camp, as "horrifying beyond belief".
Yet, our government objects to allowing a UN Human Rights delegation,
led by UN Human Rights Commissioner, Mrs. Mary Robinson, to
visit the area for investigation, and our delegation votes against a resolution
by UN Human Rights Commission, condemning Israeli human rights violations during
the savage war waged by the most sophisticated US weaponry against a largely
defenceless population.
Our country claims to uphold international law and human
rights, yet we allow ourselves to remain submissive to US diktats, in defence of
Israeli crimes and violations of virtually every article of the Fourth
Geneva Convention, on the illegally-occupied Palestinian
territories.
It is time we practice what we preach to others and
recognise that no country, including even Israel, must be
allowed to remain above international law.
Yours Sincerely
Ismail Zayid, M.D.
President, Canada Palestine Association.