Category Archives: Bulletin Board

Solidarity with Gaza

Statements/News Releases

 

SANSAD News Release July 27, 2014

End War Crimes in Gaza

 

The following resolution was adopted at the the SANSAD AGM held on July 26, 2014 at surrey, BC:

Whereas, Israel is an occupying power in Palestine with responsibility in international law to protect civilians,

Whereas, it has imposed a siege and blockade on Gaza since 2006, subjecting its population, eighty percent of whom are refugees from lands occupied by Israel, to extreme deprivation and hardship,

Whereas, Israel has repeatedly subjected Palestinians to collective punishment in violation of international law, most notably in December 2008 when it killed more than 1300 civilians and destroyed thousands of homes as well as scores of schools, mosques, and hospitals,

Whereas, in its recent assault on Gaza beginning with the bombardment of July 8 and subsequent ground attack, Israel has killed more than 1000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, has bombed children playing on the beach and civilians sheltering in a UN-run school despite being given the coordinates of the school,

And whereas, the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva has found Israel potentially guilty of war crimes and launched an international inquiry into it,

Therefore be it resolved that we demand that Israel immediately stop its attack on Gaza, allow relief efforts to reach the residents, and enable the UNHRC to carry on its investigation into war crimes,

We further demand that Israel lift the blockade on Gaza to ensure the free movement of Palestinians in and out of Gaza Strip as well as unlimited import and export of goods to enable its residents to rebuild their lives, and enter into negotiations in good faith to end the occupation of Palestinian lands.

Finally, be it resolved that SANSAD endorses the Palestinian call and global movement for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions against the state of Israel and its institutions until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights.

In addition, as  SANSAD is an organization of South Asians living in Canada, be it resolved that we hold the Government of Canada complicit in Israel’s violations of international law and war crimes because of its unqualified support of Israel’s actions and demand that it change its policy and call on Israel to obey international law, respect human rights and the democratic right of Palestinian people to elect the government of their choice and seek the unity of their leadership.

 

—Thirty—

Public forum on climate change

SANSAD Events

FACING CLIMATE CHANGE DISASTERS: 

WHAT MUST BE DONE

Saturday, July 26 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm SUR 3280: SFU Surrey Campus

250-13450 102nd Avenue (Across from Surrey Central transit station)

 There is no doubt anymore that we are facing an unprecedented moment in the history of humanity because of climate change. The scientific evidence is also clear that this has been induced by our use of fossil fuels over the last 200 years.

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) came out at the end of March with devastating conclusions about irreversible changes that will cause enormous distress. Later reports on the melting of Antarctic ice also indicate irreversible changes that will substantially raise sea levels.

In the face of overwhelming evidence governments have been taking at best half-measures or promoting further production and use of fossil fuels. That is because the rest of us, the people who alone can compel governments and corporations to change course, have been content with business as usual.

We need to understand the issues to make changes in our lives and make governments change their policies in the interest of our well being and for future generations. Please join us at this important public discourse on climate change impacts and our responsibility for sustainable environment.

Panelists: Dr. Harun Rashid (report on the science of climate change), Seth Klein (climate justice), Harsha Walia (climate refugees and refugee rights), Dr. Mohammad Zaman (adapting to climate change), Dr. Summer Pervez and Dr. Chinmoy Banerjee (everyday living for sustainable life).

RSVP for registration: Chin Banerjee, cbanerjee@telus.net; Mohammad Zaman, mqzaman.bc@gmail.com

Organized by the South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD) and Society for Bangladesh Climate Justice (SBCJ) with the support of the Institute for Diaspora Research and Engagement (IDRE), Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), Dr. Hari Sharma Foundation (HSF), Greater Vancouver Bangladesh Cultural Association (GVBCA), Vancity, Prrogressive Intercultural Community Services(PICS), and Institute for the Humanities, SFU.