Why provide input? To ensure that no important human rights ...Continue reading]]> The Canadian Museum for Human Rights Needs to Hear Your Story

NCCAR wishes to draw you attention to an important invitation to have your say on the human rights stories that are covered by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Why provide input? To ensure that no important human rights stories are neglected nor excluded. One example of frequent exclusion is that of Palestinians’ human rights stories, and there are others. So no matter what your background or heritage, or which human rights story you wish to see addressed, you can have your say as a Canadian.

Personal points of view and personal stories are powerful and cannot be easily discounted, dismissed or denied. The more submitted, the better. Please let friends, family members and others in your network know of this opportunity.

To guide you in your submission, the museum has created guiding questions, provided below. However, feel free to express your point of view or your story as you like.

Deadline: by end of February.

Register and make your on-line submission here: http://www.humanrightsmuseum.ca/share-your-story/share-your-story-online

After making your submission, please advise us at nccar@nccar.ca, as this is a file that NCCAR will be following. We need your assistance in determining the extent to which submitted views and stories were considered and included. If you need any additional information, please let us know.

NCCAR will be making its own submission accompanied by a short film and we will share that submission with you shortly.

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Adding To Your Story Submission – Webinar on Digital Story-Telling

After making your written submission to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights by the end of February, you may wish to send in additional material such as a compilation of photos or video as a supplement to your original submission.

An NCCAR Webinar on Digital Story-Telling Techniques

NCCAR is pleased to host a webinar featuring Liz Miller and Rania Arabi who will share tips on how to put together an effective personal story with a variety of digital tools and techniques. Info on their work is below.

Webinar Info

Date: Thurs. March 4th, 2010

Time: 7.30-8.30 pm ET

To register and get further info on how to join webinar, please click here:

https://student.gototraining.com/72m29/register/5750349380592331776

Info on the initiatives Liz Miller and Rania Arabi are involved in:

Mapping Memories: Stories of Refugee Youth in Montreal is a collaborative multi-media project which uses personal stories and a range of media tools (video, sound walks, mapping, photography) to share the experiences of refugee youth in Montreal. The project is part of the larger initiative LIFE STORIES. Life Stories of Montrealers Displaced by War, Genocide, and other Human Rights Violations is an oral history project exploring Montrealers’ experiences and memories of mass violence and displacement. A team of both university and community-based researchers is in the process of recording life story interviews with more than 500 Montreal residents over the next five years. Most recently the YWCA and Life Stories have come together to work on telling intergenerational stories. In the webinar we will share our methodology of digital storytelling.

http://www.lifestoriesmontreal.ca/

http://storytelling.concordia.ca/refugeeyouth/

As part of our efforts to celebrate the heritage and culture of the Lebanese, Jordanian and Palestinian people, the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is proud to co-sponsor a Continue reading]]>

An NCCAR co-sponsored cultural trip through the Middle East

As part of our efforts to celebrate the heritage and culture of the Lebanese, Jordanian and Palestinian people, the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is proud to co-sponsor a

17-Day trip from April 9 to April 26, 2010

in conjunction with the Lebanese Canadian Heritage Association (L.C.H.A.).

Take a memorable journey of exploration and discovery this spring. In the best spirit of cultural education, NCCAR is co-sponsoring a fascinating trip to the most striking destinations in the Near-East.

Fully organized for you down to the last detail, with many “free days” for your personal activities; give yourself a unique, enriching time away as you discover and explore amazing destinations. A well-chosen itinerary, the company of fellow Canadian travellers and attractive members’ price makes this a trip not to be missed.

The preliminary itinerary will be provided to those who are interested with the final itinerary being fine-tuned to meet the interests of registered participants.

If you are interested in getting to know the heritage and culture of people in other areas of the Arab World, please let us know as additional trips may be organized in the future. Email us at nccar@nccar.ca.

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- Flight in economy class with Royal Jordanian Airlines
- Hotels: All 5 Stars
- Two meals per day (Breakfast and lunch or dinner)
- Entrance Fees to most sites.
- All transfers and air-conditioned bus.
- Accompanying professional English- and Arabic-speaking guide.

Prices: Rates per person sharing Double room.  NCCAR member: $4,600 CAD including airfare,$4,900 CAD for non-members of NCCAR. (to become a member: click here. Select “Donate Now” then choose your membership level. See instructions.)Single-room supplement: $1,300.Deposit: $500 by Jan. 31, 2010 ($150 non refundable after Jan. 31).Deposit is fully non-refundable after Feb. 28, 2010.Supplement for business class: $3,300 p.p.

An NCCAR Webinar:   February 1st or 3rd, 2010

Palestine and Israel: A hard look at the facts on the ground

NCCAR Warns of Discrimination and Damage From New Screening Procedures

NCCAR’s President, Rula Odeh, recently challenged the CBC through its ombudsman on a report about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that contained a number of flaws. Through a methodical, researched and persistent effort, Ms. Odeh ...Continue reading]]> Win to provide better reporting of the Israeli-Palestinian issue on CBC

NCCAR’s President, Rula Odeh, recently challenged the CBC through its ombudsman on a report about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that contained a number of flaws. Through a methodical, researched and persistent effort, Ms. Odeh obtained changes from the CBC in three specific areas:

• Pro-justice groups’ version of events are to be given as much context as time allows.
• CBC will no longer use the Israeli-government term “security barrier“.
• Acknowledgement that necessary background was not provided.

The ombudsman has published these findings in his 2009 Annual Report. His recommendations to CBC management are detailed below.

Background

Those concerned with peace in Israel-Palestine are well aware that confusion around the issues of the conflict stems in no small part from the misleading, flawed language often used in media reports. Occupied territories become “Disputed Territories“, unlawful arrests are “administrative detentions” and military invasions are “incursions“.

Another element is the absence of the Palestinian and pro-justice point of view, whereby most or all interviews within a piece are with Israeli military and civilian spokespeople only. Sometimes, an Israeli government press release serves as the basis of most of the content, or passive, vague language such as “violence broke out” is used, obfuscating the issue.

One such example that contained a number of these types of faults was in a CBC “World At Six” report on the Israeli barrier being built within Palestinian territory. In a story on a protest against the barrier in Ni’lin in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, Canadian student, Victor McDiarmid of the International Solidarity Movement, was detained and deported by Israel.

THE THREE POINT DECISION

1. Absence of Protestors’ Version of Events

Remarkably, the report did not bother to provide listeners with McDiarmid’s account of what happenedprior to his arrest nor his reaction to the accusations against him which meant that listeners were not able to judge for themselves if MacDiarmid’s arrest and deportation were even justified in the first place, or simply a way for Israel to get rid of a peaceful protester who had exposed Israeli military violence to the world.

• The CBC ombudsman agreed that “the report lacked Mr. McDiarmid’s version of events that led up to his arrest. This was an important missing element.” He went on to recommend to CBC management that ”advocacy groups such as the International Solidarity Movement and others in the conflict should be given as much context as time allows.”

2.Biased Terminology

Ms. Odeh complained about the CBC’s use, in all its programming and content, of the biased term “security barrier,” pointing out that the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and the BBC use “barrier”.

• The CBC ombudsman agreed stating: “The term “security barrier,” ….. certainly has attributes of softening the impact of the structure. The report was remiss in using what is the preferred Israeli description.” Moreover, in a letter to Rula Odeh, the CBC ombudsman stated ”you are correct in stating that the term “security barrier” by the Israeli government tends to give a public relations gloss by softening the impact of the barrier on the Palestinian community. The term “barrier” as adopted by the BBC and the United Nations is probably more accurate and appropriately journalistic.“

3. Lack of Proper Background on the Protest and the Protestors

Ms. Odeh complained that the CBC radio report did not provide an adequate description of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and their non-violent protest methods. 

• The CBC ombudsman agreed that ”[the] claim that the report failed to explain the mission of the International Solidarity Movement was correct.”

In addition, Ms. Odeh pointed out that by using the term “increasingly violent protests,” the report implied to most listeners that theprotesters were making the protests increasingly violent, when in actual fact, it was the Israeli police who had been escalating the level of violence.

Given that Mr. McDiarmid was accused by the Israeli police of attacking their officers, it was very important to specify the source and nature of violence in this story as well to understand who was escalating it and who was exposing it – something that Victor McDiarmid had accomplished in the days prior to his arrest.

Finally the CBC ombudsman recommended that “CBC.ca could be an effective resource for the audience by providing more accessible background information and easier archival retrieval of reports on the Middle East conflict that is of importance to many CBC listeners and viewers.”

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Changes obtained on three points

Lack of proper background

Erroneous, misleading terminology

Absence of the pro-justice version of events

During one of the weekly protests against the Israeli barrier at and around Ni’lin, Canadian student Victor McDiarmid, of the International Solidarity Movement, was detained and deported by Israel.

In a CBC report on the story, several misleading flaws, omissions and uses of biased language prompted an 8-month pursuit by NCCAR President Rula Odeh with the CBC Ombudsman to get those issues rectified.

CBC Ombudsman’s Findings: see pages 30-31 of the

CBC Ombudsman’s Annual Report

To see the letter advising Ms. Odeh of the CBC Ombudsman’s assessment and recommendations to CBC Management, please write to us at nccar@nccar.ca

For the original complaint documents submitted, please write to nccar@nccar.ca.

NCCAR recognizes the CBC’s ombudsman process and the value it brings to improving the CBC’s service of the Canadian public.

In the case at hand, NCCAR welcomes the CBC ombudsman’s findings and his recommendations to CBC management.

“We have already seen a significant improvement in the CBC’s coverage on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The term “security barrier” is no longer being used by the CBC, whether on TV, radio or internet. All Canadians can now benefit from a more equitable treatment of relevant points of view and better balance overall,” said Rula Odeh.

“This is an important achievement.”

If you would like to learn more about how to hold the mainstream media accountable to journalistic standards, we would be happy to leverage our experience to help you in your efforts. We would love to hear from you with your input and feedback atnccar@nccar.ca

To receive your own copy of NCCAR Communications, please enter your email here.

December 17, 2009

Published on Rabble.ca

View online

Established 60 years ago, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is now more relevant than ever, both as the purveyor of essential education, health and relief services and as a reminder ...Continue reading]]> UN struggles to meet needs of refugees

By Bahija Réghaï

December 17, 2009

Published on Rabble.ca

View online

Established 60 years ago, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is now more relevant than ever, both as the purveyor of essential education, health and relief services and as a reminder to the international community of unfulfilled Palestinian rights that others take for granted. Unfortunately, while the agency’s work has increased, so has its funding gap.

UNRWA’s mandate, derived from UN Resolution 302, is to give emergency assistance to the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict and their descendants living in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The resolution has since been renewed yearly and will continue so unless the international community reneges on its responsibilities towards Palestinian refugees.

This year, Canada voted once again with the majority supporting draft resolution A/C.4/64/L.11 on assistance to Palestine refugees, UNRWA’s work and “the importance of its unimpeded operation.” However, Canada withdrew its support from another resolution, entitled operations of UNRWA, and abstained for the first time when virtually all the international community, including most of our allies, voted in favour of it. The resolution, which was adopted, called “on Israel to comply fully with the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the United Nations Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. Israel would be urged to speedily compensate the Agency for damages to its property and facilities, including as a result of the military operations in the Gaza Strip between December 2008 and January 2009, and to reimburse all transit charges and financial losses incurred as a result of delays and restrictions on movement and access it imposed.”

UNRWA’s buildings are essential to their efficient delivery of badly needed services, and must therefore be restored to their pre-Operation Cast Lead state. Putting the burden of reconstruction on UNRWA is unfair and unjust, especially considering that UNRWA is already struggling financially to meet the existing needs of the refugees. Expenses incurred because of Israeli military operations and restrictions on access and movement should be covered by Israel.

It is worth noting that well before Operation Cast Lead, Israel targeted non-Israeli infrastructure in Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) without ever facing consequences. Both Gaza’s seaport and airport were destroyed, the seaport twice since 2002. United Nations buildings have also been targeted, including the UN peacekeepers’ observation post in Southern Lebanon where Major Paeta Derek Hess-von Kruedener, a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was killed along with three other peacekeepers.

However, in spite of repeated calls by human rights organizations, Israel has evaded accountability, putting itself above the rule of international law that applies to all other UN member states. Moreover, while the partition of Mandated Palestine was decided by a UNGA resolution, leading to the creation of the state of Israel, the UN has failed to enforce subsequent UN resolutions regarding Israel.

Canada’s decision to abstain suggests that the Canadian government considers the state of Israel to be “exceptional” and not accountable for unacceptable norms of behaviour. As of November, Canada had not yet paid its overdue financial contribution for the operation of UNRWA share.

In his 2002 address to the UN General Assembly, George W. Bush said: “Are Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions to be honoured and enforced, or cast aside without consequence? Will the United Nations serve the purpose of its founding, or will it be irrelevant? …We want the resolutions of the world’s most important multilateral body to be enforced.”

UNSC Resolutions 237 of June 14, 1967 (Right of return of Palestinian inhabitants forced to flee from their homes), 242 of November 22, 1967 (Inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war), 252 of May 21, 1968 (calling on Israel to rescind measures changing the legal status of Jerusalem and to end its expropriation of land and properties), 446 of March 22, 1979 and 452 of July 20, 1979 (calling for the end of illegal settlement activity), 462 of March 1, 1980 (calling for the existing settlements to be dismantled) and more have yet to be implemented.

No such leeway was allowed in the cases of Iraq, Kosovo, East Timor, Rwanda and Sudan, against which the UN enforced such measures as arms embargos, economic sanctions and indictment at international tribunals.

Some 4.5 millions of Palestinian refugees are still living in camps with no end to their situation in sight. To Palestinians UNRWA is the human face of the international community. To the international community UNRWA is a reminder of the plight of the Palestinian refugees. It also represents the affirmation of our collective commitment to the Palestinian people and, as such, the symbol of our common humanity in inclusive terms. To paraphrase President Barack Obama, by investing in our common humanity, we strengthen our common security. UNRWA is therefore a key element of building peace in the Middle East.

But funding its humanitarian work is not enough. The international community must also address the Palestinians’ quest for justice and human dignity. We should all add our voices to outgoing UNRWA Commissioner-General, Karen AbuZayd, who called recently “on the international community and the parties to the conflict to acknowledge the 60-year-old injustice as a first step towards addressing the consequences of that injustice. Let us build facts in the mind to create facts of a just and durable peace on the ground.”

Bahija Réghaï is former president of the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations — NCCAR.

NCCAR Commemorates the

proclamation of the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights

Today, December 10th, is International Human Rights Day. Sixty-one years go, on December 10th, 1948, the peoples of the world, ...Continue reading]]> Statement

NCCAR Commemorates the

proclamation of the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights

Today, December 10th, is International Human Rights Day. Sixty-one years go, on December 10th, 1948, the peoples of the world, through the United Nations General Assembly, proclaimed a universal standard of Human Rights. On that date, the UNGA proclaimed and adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , a towering document that enshrines the fundamental rights of human beings everywhere.

NCCAR remembers this inspiring declaration by commemorating its anniversary on International Human Rights Day. The declaration is both one of principles, and one of law, grounded in international treaties and national constitutions and laws.

“It is worth remembering the importance of these universal rights as the basis for freedom, justice and peace in the world, which is why we refer to them in our own principles” said Rula Odeh, President, NCCAR.

According to the declaration’s preamble, “disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind.”

Articles 1 states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” We encourage further study of all articles of the declaration, available here.

NCCAR reminds fellow Canadians of the importance of standing on guard for universal human rights, freedom, justice and peace for all fellow human beings worldwide.

(Click the image to read the articles of the declaration in their entirety)

NCCAR’s Principles that form the foundation for our mission, inspired by the UDHR:

“Principles that underpin NCCAR’s work and anchor its positions are those that Canadians cherish: truth, justice, freedom, democracy, equality and security for all people as found in international law, including universal human rights and international humanitarian law. Canadians have traditionally affirmed that Canada ’s public policies should be based on the rule of law, and should continue to underscore the importance of multilateralism as the principle means of solving the world’s challenges. NCCAR strongly endorses these sentiments.“

Contact:

Mark Khoury, Vice-President
(613) 238-3795
mark.khoury@nccar.ca

The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a charitable organization whose mission is to build ties between Canadians and people of the Arab World in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada. www.nccar.ca

Le conseil national des relations canado-arabes est une organisation charitable dont l’objet est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiennes et Canadiens et les gens dans le monde arabe, de manière à développer des relations plus fortes et reconnaître les valeurs qu’ils tiennent en commun. Le Conseil vit du dynamisme de ses membres et jouit de l’appui de Canadiens de diverses origines à travers le pays. www.nccar.ca

To receive your own copy of NCCAR Communications, please enter your email here.

NCCAR applauds Canadian parliamentarians who traveled to the West Bank and Gaza in August on a humanitarian fact-finding mission in order to assess the humanitarian situation there and gain first hand knowledge and understanding to bring back to Parliament and Canadians. NCCAR welcomes their report and recommendations.

NCCAR had actively ...Continue reading]]>

NCCAR applauds Canadian parliamentarians who traveled to the West Bank and Gaza in August on a humanitarian fact-finding mission in order to assess the humanitarian situation there and gain first hand knowledge and understanding to bring back to Parliament and Canadians. NCCAR welcomes their report and recommendations.

NCCAR had actively encouraged Canadian Parliamentarians to undertake such a humanitarian fact-finding mission to Gaza. We met with members of the Canada Palestine Parliamentary Association from all parties, and explained the importance of a Canadian visit to help understand the conditions for the civilian population in Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli war “Operation Cast Lead.” NCCAR also provided useful information for the mission.

NCCAR congratulates all delegation members including Canadian parliamentarians Libby Davies (New Democratic Party), Richard Nadeau (Bloc Québécois) and Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Liberal Party) for their participation in this mission. NCCAR regrets that no Conservative parliamentarian could attend.

For the full reports, click here: English / French.

For more detailed reporting and to see the press conference regarding the release of the report on November 27, click here.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS

In their report, the Canadian MPs have asked the Government of Canada and their fellow Members of Parliament to consider and respond to their recommendations, while urging their fellow citizens to continue taking an interest in the issues contained in this report and to find ways to support the cause of peace.

The recommendations as listed in the report were the following:

RECOMMENDATION 1: LASTING PEACE

We recommend that the Government of Canada reaffirm its commitment to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state, by doing all it can to encourage further progress from the U.S. Obama administration, on a peace plan for the Middle East.

RECOMMENDATION 2: FUNDING

We recommend that the Government of Canada immediately announce and swiftly meet a contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), of an amount equivalent to or greater than the contribution given in 2008.

RECOMMENDATION 3: THE BARRIER

I) We recommend that the Government of Canada reaffirm its opposition to Israel’s construction of the Barrier, and any actions carried out for this purpose, inside the Occupied Territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

II) We recommend that the Government of Canada do all it can to ensure that the Government of Israel fully upholds the 2007 Israel High Court of Justice (HCJ) ruling against Land Sequestration Order no. Tav/40/0 [Bil’in].

III) We recommend that the Government of Canada affirm that the use of non-violent means by civilians to protest that which the Government of Canada itself calls unacceptable or illegal, be allowed to take place.

RECOMMENDATION 4: SETTLEMENT ACTIVITY

I) We recommend that the Government of Canada support U.S. President Obama in publicly calling for a stop to Israeli settlements and that the Government of Canada publicly oppose any new Israeli settlement activity when it is reliably brought to its attention.

II) We recommend that the Government of Canada assert that a comprehensive, just and lasting peace settlement and the creation of a Palestinian state may require the dismantling of illegal Israeli settlements.

III) We recommend that the Government of Canada examine the practicality of Canada becoming a member of the Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron (TIPH), as a means of helping the pursuit of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Occupied Territories and the Middle East.

RECOMMENDATION 5: THE BLOCKADE

I) We recommend that the Government of Canada assert that an end to the blockade on Gaza is an urgent and necessary means by which to normalize the day to day living conditions of people living in Gaza and to restore the civil and economic infrastructure of Gaza.

II) We recommend that the Government of Canada assert that the Israeli imposed blockade on Gaza is contributing to the growth of a non-viable and unsustainable economy in Gaza, including the smuggling of goods through illegal tunnels.

III) We recommend that the Government of Canada assert that the Israeli imposed blockade on Gaza and the development and use of illegal tunnels in Gaza, are a barrier to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace settlement.

IV) Thus, we recommend that the Government of Canada do all it can to support diplomatic efforts to secure a swift and sustainable end to the blockade on Gaza and the development and use of illegal tunnels in Gaza.

RECOMMENDATION 6: CANADIAN CITIZENS

We recommend that the Government of Canada immediately investigate and seek to rectify any practices being employed by the Government of Israel to prevent Canadian citizens of Palestinian origin from enjoying the rights of passage ordinarily granted to Canadian citizens, on the sole basis of their Palestinian origin.

RECOMMENDATION 7: INTERNATIONAL TRADE

I) We recommend that the Government of Canada, as swiftly as possible, examine and make public their findings, as to whether Canada currently receives or could at any time receive, imported goods that have originated from areas that the Government of Canada itself considers to be illegally occupied, through the provisions under the Canada-Israel Free Trade Implementation Act.

II) We recommend that if such goods are currently received or could at any time be received, that the Government of Canada seek to amend the Canada-Israel Free Trade Implementation Act to exclude any goods from areas that the Government of Canada itself considers to be illegally occupied.