Evidence of meeting #29 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was civilians.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Michael Levitt
I have just a couple of points I want to bring up.
Mr. Beaulieu, one of the things we heard from Mr. Al Saleh when we asked what more Canada can do was around the engagement of civil society and getting more resources to civil society. You heard the request. What thoughts do you have on that? Is there a way to do that effectively and quickly?
I know that one of the recommendations in the joint statement that will be released from this hearing is to reinstate the Syrian emergency relief fund, which is something that had been operational, I think, until the spring.
Sébastien Beaulieu
You can be sure that the conversations we are having internally with partners and with Syrian civil society are about working towards supporting them and providing the help we can where it is needed. Programming is being rolled out and announced as decisions are taken. We're working expeditiously.
One of the areas relating to Aleppo in particular is early warning systems, which in fact save lives. The tracking of aircraft and flights—knowing when they take off and being able to warn civilians across Syria that war planes have just taken off—provides some hope for saving lives in the future in Syria, and in Aleppo in particular.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I know we're running out of time and we've had some really compelling information here. I would like to take off from Mr. Tabbara's question to Mr. Beaulieu.
Can you expand on or just help us get our heads around what is meant by “Canada is also helping the opposition prepare for peace negotiations”?
Sébastien Beaulieu
Yes. Over the past months there have been a few rounds of proximity or peace talks taking place in Geneva. Canada has been working with the opposition to help them prepare for those sessions, providing training on negotiations, helping them understand what's at play, and helping them develop their strategy to approach these very difficult negotiations in Geneva with the Syrian regime. That extends to legal advice as well, and we're also providing funding to organizations that have been involved in peace processes around the world, which in turn help the High Negotiations Committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Michael Levitt
Thank you. I see that our time is almost up. That's going to conclude our session for today.
We've heard moving testimony, and I think we've addressed some important issues of gross human rights violations and the tragic situation being faced by the civilian population of Aleppo.
Mr. Al Saleh, I want to join my colleagues in saluting the heroic work that you and your organization, the White Helmets, are doing under the most dire of circumstances.
We've raised many more questions here than answers this afternoon, but this subcommittee and this Parliament will continue to shine the light on this issue and to do our part in ensuring that the gross violations of human rights will never go unnoticed here in Canada.
I offer a sincere thank you to our witnesses here today, both from Global Affairs and from the White Helmets. As this meeting concludes, we will be releasing a joint statement from all members of this committee. Thank you.
The meeting is adjourned.
