Tell Minister Freeland that Canada needs to end its arms deal with Saudi Arabia!

The devastating humanitarian crisis in Yemen is a direct result of the ongoing conflict. Yemeni women, men and children are suffering because of a war with no end in sight as parties to the conflict, including the Saudi-led coalition, routinely violate international humanitarian law.

Canada has been a leader in providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance to Yemen – but it is doing so while simultaneously arming one of the parties to the conflict – Saudi Arabia.

Credible media reports have already suggested that Canadian weapons sold to Saudi Arabia are being used in the devastating war on Yemen, which means they risk being used to commit serious human rights violations and cause more suffering to innocent civilians.

At the end of 2018, the Government of Canada appeared open to finding a way to cancel or suspend the arms deal. Yet sales to Saudi Arabia have continued while we wait for Canada to take a stance.

It is time for the Government of Canada to cancel its arms deal with Saudi Arabia.

Did you know that:
  • Three civilians are killed every day due to the conflict and 80% of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance or protection.
  • There has been a 63% increase in incidents of gender-based violence - including rape and sexual assault - since the conflict began in 2015.
  • The destruction of infrastructure, such as water and sanitation systems, caused by airstrikes on civilian targets mean that women and girls have to travel further in dangerous settings to collect water.
  • Hungry families are resorting to desperate measures to feed themselves – including marrying off their young daughters.
You can help make a difference. Let's unite our voices and show the Canadian Government that we support an end to the arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Here is how you can make a difference:

Email Minister Freeland to let her know you want Canada to cancel its arms deal with Saudi Arabia. #YemenCantWait
Subject line: Minister Freeland, Canada should immediately cancel its arms deal with Saudi Arabia.

Honourable Chrystia Freeland,

March 26 marked the fourth anniversary of the conflict in Yemen. As you are aware, this conflict-fueled humanitarian crisis is absolutely devastating. An estimated 80 per cent of the population now requires humanitarian and protection assistance.

Women and girls are bearing the brunt of the crisis, facing increased gender-based violence, unequal access to services, and dangerous levels of malnutrition that impact their health and prevent them from having healthy pregnancies and babies.

Canada's humanitarian assistance to Yemen is saving lives. But humanitarian assistance alone won't end the suffering of millions of civilians. As the war rages on, the number of civilian casualties continues to rise, and landmines and military roadblocks prevent effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.

All warring parties, including the Saudi-led coalition, are violating international humanitarian law. No country should be directly or indirectly supplying weapons, munitions, military equipment or technology that could be used in the conflict.

I am concerned that, through its arms deal with Saudi Arabia, Canada is complicit in the unnecessary and inexcusable suffering of innocent Yemeni women, men and children.

Today, I use my voice to ask Canada to join countries like Denmark, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Greece and Austria that have either suspended or terminated arms transfers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its allies. Moreover, in recent weeks, the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy have made moves towards doing the same. Canada should follow suit.

Canada's feminist approach to international assistance and foreign policy holds tremendous potential. But it is incoherent to focus on women through humanitarian assistance while fueling a war that disproportionately harms them.

We know that your government is looking into ways to end the arms deal with Saudi Arabia. I want you to know that Canadians care about this and would support this move.

Sincerely,
[your name will go here]
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