All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity

OTTAWA, December 9, 2009

Hon. Laurence Cannon
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Suite 418-N, Centre Block
House of Commons

Dear Hon. Laurence Cannon,

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is a rebel group operating in northern Uganda, north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and in southern Sudan. The LRA is notorious for committing human rights abuses and atrocities, such as the abduction, rape, maiming, and killing of civilians, including infants and children.

On November 17, 2009, the United Nations Security Council issued a statement that strongly condemned the recently increasing attacks carried out by the LRA. That same day, the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously passed the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act 2009. This bill aims to support the stabilization and sustainable peace in northern Uganda and other areas affected by the LRA through the development of a regional strategy to support multilateral efforts to successfully protect civilians. The strategy would aim to eliminate the threat posed by the LRA and authorize funds for humanitarian relief and reconstruction, reconciliation, transitional justice, and other related purposes.

I urge you and the Government of Canada to implement similar legislation. Canada remains a leader in human rights protection and peace-making efforts and must take measures to protect civilians affected by the LRA.

Sincerely,

Paul Dewar

Member of Parliament, Ottawa Centre

NDP Critic – Foreign Affairs

Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity