Statement on Recent Escalation of Tensions in West Asia
Statement on Recent Escalation of Tensions in West Asia
Last week’s Israeli forces missile strikes targeting the Iranian Consulate, which also damaged the Canadian Embassy in Syria raised major concern within the Iranian Canadian community. Such breaches of united nations resolutions and violations of international law, which should have been condemned, led to Iran's retaliatory strike against Israeli military installations on April 13th.
We implore the Canadian government to champion the enforcement of UN Resolutions regarding Palestine and actively promote peace, equity, and stability in the region.
Statement regarding the recent escalation of conflict in the Red Sea
Iranian Canadian Congress expresses disappointment in Canada’s decision to participate in the US-led military operation in the Red Sea. Given the exceptionally heightened tensions, these military interventions pose a significant risk of escalating West Asia into a full-scale war, which would be catastrophic for all parties involved, particularly the civilian population throughout the region.
For over three months, Canadians have been fervently urging their elected representatives to advocate for an immediate and lasting ceasefire to bring an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. It is imperative for the Canadian government to demand a ceasefire alongside South Africa in the International Court of Justice against the genocide in Gaza and call for the immediate removal of the blockade affecting the fundamental livelihood of the Gaza population, including access to clean water, food and medication.
We urge Canada to assume a constructive role in the region, fostering implementation of UN Resolutions, peace, justice and stability rather than contributing to war and destruction. Canadians seek a sustainable ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, fearing the potential expansion of the conflict into neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Iran.
Participating in military actions that jeopardize Canadian lives and perpetuate the loss of innocent men, women, and children in West Asia offers no benefit to Canadians and is instead a stain on Canada’s global reputation. It is crucial for Canada to prioritize diplomatic solutions and actively work towards a peaceful resolution in the region.
Read moreEducational documents and tools against Online harassment and cyberbullying
Since 2008, the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) has worked tirelessly with the interests of the Iranian Canadian community in mind, and with the core values of peace, solidarity, freedom, justice and transparency. It is unfortunate that the ICC and its board members have frequently been the target of cyberbullying by individuals who oppose our core values, who choose aggression over peace, bullying over freedom of speech, and trolling while cowardly hiding behind their -sometimes unknown- online identity.
The ICC board members, and the members of the public alike, have been targeted by such bullies on many social media platforms, who aim to create a toxic atmosphere or hoping to interfere with or to discourage the board members from their peaceful activities.
The ICC board members are and have been aware and prepared to face the trolls and the toxic environment that they wish to create, finding encouragement instead of being discouraged, and determination instead of distraction. After all, the harder the trolls try, the more we have reason to believe in the positive impacts of ICC’s overall strategies, giving us more reason and determination to continue working toward our peaceful ambitions.
Despite the above, we condemn the acts of cyberbullying, and encourage our members and the public to stay sensitive about such activities. Cyberbullying, especially when it involves physical threats, is a criminal activity and the ICC will assess such activities going forward and may choose to report them to the respective social media platform, or in more serious cases to the police. For further information about cyberbullying please consult the following resources.
https://www.unicef.org/end-violence/how-to-stop-cyberbullying
https://ssd.eff.org/module/your-security-plan
https://womensmediacenter.com/speech-project/tools-resources
https://www.datasociety.net/pubs/oh/Online_Harassment_2016.pdf
http://cdeacf.ca/boite-outils-cyberintimidation
https://onlineharassmentfieldmanual.pen.org/protecting-information-from-doxing/
Joint statement: Ceasefire now, end the siege, for a just and lasting peace
Iranian Canadian Congress is proud to join with a broad and representative group of pan-Canadian organizations that is raising our voices together for an immediate ceasefire to the escalating violence in Israel-Palestine and for the urgent restoration of humanitarian aid to Gaza and access to the basic necessities of life. We are among the leading pan-Canadian labour, faith, community, civil society, peace and justice organizations in Canada and Quebec.
You can read our joint statement here.
Le texte en français suit.
Ceasefire now, end the siege, for a just and lasting peace
Issued on Saturday, October 21, 2023
People in Canada are watching in horror as the violence in Israel-Palestine has escalated towards an all-out war.
On Tuesday, the bombing of the Anglican Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City killed hundreds of people, most of them children. Over 5,000 people had been sheltering inside. This is an atrocity.
Since October 7, thousands have been killed following Hamas’ attack and the Israeli government’s response.
We unequivocally condemn the targeting of innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilians.
As representatives of leading pan-Canadian labour, faith, Arab, Jewish, and civil society organizations, we are calling on the Government of Canada to take these steps:
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Call for an immediate ceasefire in Israel-Palestine
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Call for an end to the blockade of Gaza and for the restoration of humanitarian aid and access to the basic necessities of life
We endorse the Canadian government’s call for humanitarian aid to Gaza and the safe return of hostages. These demands cannot be meaningfully addressed without an immediate ceasefire and while Israel's blockade of Gaza continues.
Gaza is facing a “complete siege” as food, water, electricity, and fuel have been cut off. Gaza’s last functioning seawater desalination plant shut down on Sunday after running out of fuel. Water and sanitation services have collapsed in the wake of widespread bombing.
UN shelters have also run out of water and hospital workers are warning that thousands more civilians could die if access to water, fuel, and medicine is not restored.
The already dire humanitarian crisis is rapidly deteriorating.
The Israeli government’s order to a million Gazans to evacuate to the south–an impossible feat in 24 hours–suggests that a ground war and intensifying bombing are imminent.
Our most urgent task is preventing the further loss of life and an even greater humanitarian disaster than what we have already witnessed in Gaza. An all-out war would bring catastrophe to the entire region.
As hostilities escalate, they are fuelling a rise of Anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism in Canada–which we also unequivocally condemn.
Beyond these immediate steps, the world must support efforts for a just and lasting peace in Israel-Palestine and address the root cause of the violence: Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territory.
Palestinians, Israelis, and all people in the region deserve to live in peace and security and with justice for all.
Signatories:
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350 Canada
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Academic Foundation for Peace-Conflict Studies (AFPCS)
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Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of British Columbia (AMSSA)
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Alter Acadie, New Brunswick
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Alternatives
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Arab Canadian Lawyers Association
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ArtHouseTO
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Asian Canadian Labour Alliance - British Columbia
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Asian Canadian Labour Alliance - Ontario
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Asian Canadian Women Alliance
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Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians
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Association of United Ukrainian Canadians
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Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)
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Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network
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Aura Freedom International
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Black Lives Matter - Canada
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Bridges Not Borders / Créons des ponts
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Canada Social Work Students Collective for Palestine
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Canada Stand Up for Palestinian Children’s Rights
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Canadian Association for the Study of International Development (CASID) / L’association canadienne d’études du développement international (ACÉDI)
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Canadian Boat to Gaza
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Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
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Canadian Council for Refugees / Conseil canadien pour les réfugiés
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Canadian Freelance Union / Le Syndicat canadien des pigistes (CLU)
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Canadian Friends of Sabeel
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Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers)
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Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR)
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Canadian Palestinian Professional Foundation
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Canadian Palestinian Social Association of London
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Canadian Union of Postal Workers / Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses des postes
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Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) / Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique (SCFP)
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Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario / Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique (SCFP) Ontario
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Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
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Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
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Center for Human Rights Research, University of Manitoba
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Centre international de solidarité ouvrière (CISO)
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Centre justice et foi
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Child Care Now / Un enfant Une place
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Citizen Rights Movement (CRM)
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Climate Emergency Unit
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Climate Justice Edmonton
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Coalition of Canadian Palestinian Organizations
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Coalition of Child Care Advocates of British Columbia
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Conscience Canada
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Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain CSN
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Conseil régional Montréal métropolitain FTQ
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Council of Canadians - Campbell River
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Council of Canadians - Edmonton
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Council of Canadians - Fredericton
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Council of Canadians - Hamilton
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Council of Canadians - Kitchener-Waterloo
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Council of Canadians - London
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Council of Canadians - Mid-Island - Nanaimo
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Council of Canadians - Powell River
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Council of Canadians - Saskatoon
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Council of Canadians - Victoria
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Dogwood
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Egyptian Canadian Collation for Democracy (ECCD)
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Equality Fund / Fonds égalité
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
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Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE)
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Femmes de diverses origines / Women of diverse origins
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Femmes en Mouvement du Québec
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Filipinas of HamOnt
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Fondation Béati / Béati Foundation
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Fondation Oscar Romero
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Force of Nature
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Foyer du Monde / Home of the World
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Fredericton Palestine Solidarity
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Fridays for Future Manitoba
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Front d’action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU)
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Good To Be Good
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Health Providers Against Poverty
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Hearing Palestine
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House of PainT
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Human Concern International
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Humanité & Inclusion Canada
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Independent Jewish Voices Canada
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Inspirit Foundation
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International Coalition For Human Rights in the Philippines Canada
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Iranian Canadian Congress
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Jesuit Refugee Service Canada
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Jewish Faculty Network
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Justice for All Canada
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Kairos Halifax
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Kairos SWO
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Kamloops Islamic Association
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L’Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada
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La Maison Turquoise
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Law Union of Ontario
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Le Centre de réfugiés / The Refugee Centre
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Le CIBLES - Carrefour international bas-laurentien pour l'engagement social
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Le Mouvement d'éducation populaire et d'action communautaire du Québec (MÉPACQ)
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Living Skies Regional Council, The United Church of Canada
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Maquila Solidarity Network
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Mayworks Kjipuktuk/Halifax
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Médecins du Monde Canada / Doctors of the World Canada
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Middle Eastern Society of the University of New Brunswick
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Migrant Workers Centre of British Columbia
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Montréal pour la paix
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Montréal pour un monde sans guerre
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Mothers for World Peace
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Mouvement québécois pour la paix
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National Council of Canadian Muslims
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National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)
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New Brunswick Common Front for Social Justice / Front commun pour la justice sociale du Nouveau-Brunswick
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Oblates Franciscaines de Saint-Joseph
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On Canada Project Inc.
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Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses (OAITH)
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Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
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Ottawa Forum Israel Palestine
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Oxfam Canada
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Oxfam Québec
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PalNet Pacific Mountain
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PalNet Shining Waters
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Pastorale sociale de Côte-des-Neiges
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Pastorale sociale de Rosemont
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People for Peace, London
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Photographers Without Borders
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Point Blank
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Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) / L'institut professionnel de la fonction publique du Canada (IPFPC)
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Progress Belleville
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Progress Toronto
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Public Service Alliance of Canada / L’Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada
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Rainbow Refugee Society
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Refugee Health YYC
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Regina Peace Council
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Regroupement intersectoriel des organismes communautaires de Montréal
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Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal, Social Action Office
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Run for Palestine
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Save the Children Canada
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Science for Peace
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Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Toronto
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Soeurs Auxiliatrices, Québec
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Sojourn House
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South Asian Legal Clinic of British Columbia
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South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario
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Sustainable Human Empowerment (SHE) Associates Inc.
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Syndicat des enseignantes et enseignants du cégep Montmorency
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Syndicats des travailleuses et des travailleurs de la CSN
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Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes (TCRI)
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Table ronde des organismes volontaires d’éducation populaire de l’Outaouais
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The United Church of Canada
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Toronto Artists for Palestine
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Toronto Quakers Peace and Social Action Committee
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Unifor
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United Jewish People’s Order
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United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel
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Urban Alliance on Race Relations
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Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees
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Victoria Peace Coalition
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Victoria Raging Grannies
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Wilderness Committee
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Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism
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Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
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Women’s Shelters Canada / Hébergement femmes Canada
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World Beyond War
Letter from ICC to Premier Eby: Urgent Support for Justice and Accountability in the Case of Amir Sedghi's Tragic Death
President of Iranian Canadian Congress, Dr. Saïdeh Khadir, has sent a letter to Premier of BC David Eby to call for urgent Support for Justice and Accountability in the Case of Amir Sedghi's Tragic Death:
Dear Premier Eby,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today regarding a grieving family and to seek your compassionate support in pursuing justice and accountability for a profound injustice that has befallen them. https://intheirname.ca/our-stories/amir/
Amir Sedghi, a talented and promising young man with a bright future, tragically lost his life in a plane crash while at work. As a dedicated data analyst, he was capturing crucial aerial images of ongoing underground wildfires using a unique technological approach. Regrettably, the plane he was operating encountered technical difficulties that could have been prevented, leading to the fatal accident.
Amidst the sorrow and grief that the Sedghi family has endured, they have discovered that their pursuit of justice and compensation is hindered by an archaic death legislation that has remained unaltered since its inception in 1846. This outdated law fails to acknowledge the immeasurable value of a young life lost, denying the family the right to seek restitution or to hold the parties responsible for their negligence.
The Sedghi family's profound sense of injustice is shared by many within our community who believe that the law should adapt to the evolving needs of our society. Considering this tragic incident and the ongoing impact it continues to have on the family, I implore you to support their plea for justice by championing the reform of British Columbia's death law.
We must ensure that no other family suffers the same indignity and disregard for their loved ones' lives. By modernizing the legislation surrounding death compensation, we can provide a path for accountability, and support this grieving family in their pursuit of justice. The Sedghi family's case is a poignant reminder that our laws must reflect the values of fairness, compassion, and empathy that define our great nation.
I kindly request that you use your esteemed position and influence to address this pressing matter promptly. Your support in advocating for the reform of BC's death law will not only provide solace to the Sedghi family but also demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of all British Columbians.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I remain hopeful that you will take the necessary steps to address the injustice faced by the Sedghi family and work towards creating a more just and equitable society.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Saïdeh Khadir, M.D.
President,
Iranian Canadian Congress
CC:
Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources Canada
Honourable Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness of British Columbia
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