“The world is watching in horror as reports emerge from Ukraine about the discovery of a mass grave in the city of Bucha,” said McPherson. “300 bodies, many of them women and children, have been found further confirming that crimes against humanity and war crimes are being committed by the Russian federation. In addition to the unconscionable killing of civilians, reports are also emerging about sexual violence against women and children by the Russian military. These heinous acts demand action. Vladimir Putin and the Russian military must not be allowed to get away with this.”
McPherson’s motion calls on Parliament to support increased aid to Ukraine so that Ukrainians can defend themselves against these horrific events, accountability for these actions at the International Criminal Court, as well as increased punitive measures like stronger trade restrictions and economic sanctions.
Canadian activists detained by Israel last month while taking part in an aid flotilla trying to reach Gaza say Canada isn’t doing enough to call out treatment by Israeli officials that Ottawa has called appalling.
While Israel has rejected claims of abuse, flotilla participant Ehab Lotayef said Wednesday Israeli officials beat him on the chest and ribs, put him in uncomfortable positions for long periods and slashed his hand when he tried to help a fellow detainee.
“We felt that we were let down by Canada before anybody else, to be honest, because the Canadian government knew all that was happening,” Lotayef told a news conference on Parliament Hill.
“When we needed them was when we were being tortured — and the whole world knew that that was happening.”
Activist flotillas have tried repeatedly to reach the Gaza Strip to draw attention to tight restrictions on humanitarian supplies for Palestinians. Israel has intercepted these boats, often in international waters.
Lotayef was one of 12 Canadians among 420 flotilla activists detained by Israeli authorities last month. Their detention gained international notoriety when Israel’s Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself taunting the detained activists.
