Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Light Armoured Vehicle Sales to Saudi Arabia – Response from Foreign Affairs Minister

[This is a July response to my April letter]


Dear Mr. Crowe:

Thank you for your email of April 14, 2016, concerning the situation of human rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the sale of light armoured vehicles (LAVs) manufactured in Canada to that country. I regret the delay in replying to you.

The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canada’s foreign policy. Canada stands up for human rights and takes principled positions on important issues to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Canada supports a stable and prosperous Middle East, governed by freedom, tolerance and pluralism, where human rights are respected.

Of course, Canada remains concerned about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. Canadian officials at the Embassy of Canada to Saudi Arabia engage regularly with Saudi officials, including the Saudi Human Rights Commission, to maintain an open, respectful and constructive dialogue on human rights issues. Canada’s engagement with Saudi Arabia on these issues extends into multilateral forums as well. For example, during Saudi Arabia’s Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in October 2013, Canada noted the increased participation of women in Saudi Arabian society, including the important role they have assumed within the Shura Council. I also welcomed the local municipal elections in Saudi Arabia in December 2015, in which women voted and a number of women were elected.

I take every opportunity to raise these issues and will continue to do so. On May 23 and 24, 2016, during my visit to Saudi Arabia, I raised critical issues with senior Saudi officials with respect to human rights as well as humanitarian issues. I met with several senior Saudi officials including the King, the Crown Prince, the ministers for Education and Energy, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and the President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, who reports directly to the King. I also met with prominent women in politics, media, business and homemakers and had valuable exchanges on the evolving situation of women in Saudi Arabia. Our discussions centered on the importance of women’s rights and gender equality, two key Canadian values. Further, Canadian officials raise Canada’s concerns about human rights with senior Saudi officials on a regular basis and will continue to do so, both publicly and in diplomatic discussions.

With regard to the sale of LAVs to Saudi Arabia, Canada has sold LAVs to that country since the 1990s and has no information to suggest that these LAVs have ever been used against the Saudi population. Furthermore, an export of this type requires an export permit. Canada has some of the strongest export controls for military and strategic goods in the world. However, in light of concerns raised, Canada is introducing more rigour and transparency to its export control system. Canada is also delivering on its commitment to accede to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty on a priority basis. I am pleased to have tabled the Treaty in Parliament on June 17, 2016, which is a first formal step in this process.

You may wish to read the statement I issued on April 13, 2016, regarding the sale of LAVs to Saudi Arabia, at http://www.news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1051599.

Please be assured that the Government of Canada will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and encourage the Saudi government to respect its international human rights obligations.

Regarding the situation in Yemen, Canada is concerned about the deteriorating situation in that country. The ongoing conflict is fueling widespread instability, chaos and exacerbating a growing humanitarian crisis. Canada urges all parties to participate actively and fully in negotiations led by the United Nations to find a consensus agreement. Such an agreement will be the only acceptable and legitimate course for a political transition.

In response to the humanitarian situation in Yemen, Canada has provided $19.5 million in humanitarian assistance funding in 2015 to help meet the immediate needs of millions of conflict‑affected people in that country.

Canada welcomes Saudi Arabia’s formation of a high‑level independent committee to investigate the Saudi‑led coalition’s actions in Yemen and encourages Saudi Arabia to disclose the committee’s findings as quickly as possible.

Canada calls on all parties to the conflict in Yemen to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by allowing and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian relief to civilians in need.

Thank you for writing.

Sincerely,





The Honourable Stéphane Dion, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs