[Your Full Name]
[City, Province]
[Email Address]
[Date]
The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Canada
Subject: Urging Canada to Uphold Its International Obligations
Dear Prime Minister Carney,
I am writing as a concerned Canadian citizen deeply puzzled by Canada’s response to the recent unprovoked military attacks carried out by Israel and the United States on civilian targets in Iran. These acts have occurred in a climate of growing regional instability, and started during negotiations between Iran and the United States.
There is increasing concern among Canadians that our government is failing to uphold its long-standing commitment to international law, neutrality, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
As a signatory to the UN Charter, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and other instruments of international law, Canada has a clear obligation to condemn acts that violate sovereignty (of any concerned parties and not selectively), endanger civilians, destroy civilian infrastructure, academic and historical sites, and contribute to escalating the war in the Middle East.
The selective silence of Canada when it comes to the gratuitous killing of Iranian civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure (including healthcare facilities, academic institutions and historical heritage sites) undermines Canada’s neutrality and its credibility as a defender of international law and promoter of peace, built over the last eight decades.
As such, as a responsible citizen I join many of my compatriots across Canada and urge your government to take a principled position and to:
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Publicly condemn violations of rules of war committed by any state, including any of Canada's close allies;
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Publicly condemn the killing of any civilians - including Iranians - and the assault of civilian infrastructure, academic institutions and historical heritage sites, including those in Iran;
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Reaffirm Canada’s commitment to the promotion of peaceful resolution of international conflicts;
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Support immediate de-escalation and impartial diplomacy in the region.
As heirs to Lester Pearson who secured Canada’s place on the global scene as a principled nation upholding the rule of law, Canada’s foreign policy must reflect the principles of justice and consistency.
Failing to condemn unilateral acts of aggression — no matter who commits them — not only erodes global trust in Canada but will impede our ability to be counted on as partner for peace and de-escalation in the future.
It also paves the way and encourages further escalation in the current conflict of which the main victims will be an increasing number of civilians both in Israel and Iran.
I appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and respectfully ask that you represent the voice of many Canadians who believe in a principled, balanced and lawful foreign policy.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]