QUESTION PERIOD — Foreign Affairs
Resolution on Myanmar
February 10, 2022
Honourable senators, my question is to the Government Representative in the Senate, Senator Gold.
February 1 marked one year to the day that the Burmese military overthrew the elected government of Myanmar, or Burma, and began a brutal attack on political leaders, activists and ordinary citizens. At least 1,500 people have been killed by the military in the past year.
Wai Wai Nu, a leading young human rights defender whom I work with, has set out a long list of inaction by democracies. I repeat to you her question, Senator Gold: Will Canada support a resolution on Myanmar to the UN Security Council that includes key demands such as a global arms embargo, support for cross‑border humanitarian aid and the referral of Myanmar to the International Criminal Court?
Thank you for your question and for underlining the situation in Myanmar.
Canada, as you know, condemns the convictions and other abuses, and the coup d’état particularly, in Myanmar. With regard to the specific question, I’m not aware of a decision that has been made with regard to a resolution at the United Nations. I will certainly make inquiries, and if an answer is forthcoming, I will be glad to share it in the chamber.
Senator Gold, in addition to that inquiry, could you please ask specifically about the Rohingya in the largest refugee camps in the world, mostly in Bangladesh? And could you ask for an update to this chamber on what Canada is doing to provide services to the Rohingya women and children who continue to be at risk of being trafficked and having their education denied for the most part?
I will certainly do so. Thank you.
