Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition from people of the greater Peterborough area who are concerned about the sanctions against Iraq. They point out that the ongoing UN sanctions against Iraq are regarded as the most stringent ever imposed by that body and that they have devastated the Iraqi economy, resulting in the deaths of 5,000 children a month.
The petitioners also point out that far from helping to destroy the oppressive government of Saddam Hussein, these sanctions have actually strengthened that government and destroyed any useful opposition. They also point out that the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade of this Parliament has recommended the de-linking of economic from military sanctions and the lifting of all other sanctions.
These petitioners call upon the Parliament of Canada to accept the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade for the lifting of sanctions, demand an immediate cessation of bombing, and call for serious peace negotiations. They urge that Canada and the United Nations vastly increase efforts to provide food, medicine and funds in Iraq. Further, they ask that the compensation fund taken from the oil for food program be suspended.