 
Letter to Senator Mobina Jaffer
January 8, 2003
Senator Mobina Jaffer,
Peace Envoy for Sudan
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario KlA 0A4
Dear Mobina Jaffer:
Recent events in Sudan and in Canada provide an opportunity for
a more pro-active and energetic foreign policy for Sudan. In Sudan,
the planned resumption of peace talks in January calls for sustained
international engagement to bolster the chances for an agreement
that will result in a just and lasting peace. In Canada, Talisman
Energy’s pending sale of its Sudan assets removes a complicating
factor for Canada’s foreign policy and allows Canada to better
exercise its reputation as a peace builder and a defender of human
rights.
Canadian organizations with Sudan programming are also considering
how they can best support the Sudanese people in their current quest
for justice and peace, building on the most recent agreements to
emerge from the Machakos talks. We understand there is a new framework
for CIDA programming; we look forward to discussing it in greater
detail; and we would also welcome an opportunity to work with our
government on complementary foreign policy options. We encourage
Canada to make a long-term commitment to building and sustaining
peace in Sudan and to maintaining a constructive and mutually beneficial
relationship with the Sudanese people.
Recently several members of the Sudan Inter-Agency Reference Group
(SIARG) met in Toronto to discuss specific ways Canada could support
the people of Sudan at this particular time. We would like to propose
the following policy options:
- Support for a comprehensive peace process, building on the
Machakos talks, with an emphasis on civil society initiatives
to build a lasting peace;
- Vigorous advocacy for the right of all Sudanese to access humanitarian
assistance
- Human rights initiatives designed to build and sustain peace;
- Support for the establishment of democratic governance structures,
based on respect for diversity, power-sharing, and equitable distribution
of wealth; and
- Support for de-mining and landmine victim rehabilitation programs,
initiatives to reduce the supply of small arms and light weapons,
and security sector reform.
Attached are more specific suggestions
for implementation of each option.
We also encourage the Canadian government to develop new, effective
regulatory measures that would prevent a repeat of the Talisman
experience. All Canadian companies operating in zones of conflict
should be required to comply with standards based on international
human rights and humanitarian law. Early adoption of such legislation
would reflect the fact that an overwhelming majority of Canadians
do not want Canadian corporations to be complicit in wars that harm
civilians in other countries.
Finally, we encourage Canada to play a more active role in efforts
to find a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the Lord’s
Resistance Army and Ugandan forces, which crosses the Sudan border
and threatens the survival of thousands of children. Action on this
matter would be in keeping with Canada’s reputation as a leader
in protecting the security and rights of children living in the
context of armed conflict.
We would welcome an opportunity to discuss these policy options
in greater detail, and to consider possibilities for co-operation
between the government and Canadian organizations who have a long-term
commitment to support the Sudanese people in their quest for peace
with justice.
The following organizations have endorsed this letter:
Amnesty International, Canadian Section
Alex Neve, Executive Director
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee Canada
Wayne De Jong, Director
CAMEO, (Land Mine Clearance)
James Megill, Executive Director
Emmanuel International: Relief and Development
Rebecca Sherbino, FAR Desk Officer
Freedom Quest International
Mel Middleton, Director
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Pat Steenberg, Executive Director
Oxfam Canada
Raymond Genesse, Horn of Africa Program
Partnership Africa Canada
Bernard Taylor, Executive Director
Project Ploughshares
Ernie Regehr, Executive Director
United Church of Canada
Lee Holland, Area Secretary for East and Central Africa
United Steelworkers of America
Lawrence McBrearty, National Director for Canada
World Vision Canada
Linda Tripp, Vice-President, Advocacy and Government Relations
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