Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon has called for an immediate ceasefire and wants to "engage the United Nations as fast as possible" to find a peaceful solution to the decades old conflict. The announcement comes amidst continued Tamil protests that have severely disrupted the traffic in downtown Ottawa.
"We've asked [the United Nations] for an immediate ceasefire. We're very worried, of course, of the hostilities that are taking place but particularly worried for the civilians that are in the combat zone [in Vanni]," said Cannon Thursday, April 9, according to a report in National Post.
"We've made representations to the United Nations on this issue. We're following it closely and we will continue with like-minded countries to make sure that we want to bring a ceasefire to this area of the world," Cannon added.
The Minister also rejected a call by the Sri Lankan high commissioner to Canada to crack down on the protesters because they were waving banners that depict a tiger in front of a pair of crossed guns.
"It's not up to me to put an end to protest," the Minister said.
"It's not up to me to put an end to protest," the Minister said.
"People are allowed to protest in Canada. We live in a democracy. People are allowed to go and express their ideas, their concerns," the Post said.
Cannon's remarks fly in the face of the assessment of Sri Lankan envoy Daya Perera, who said Wednesday that: "there is a limit; the freedom of expression has to stop somewhere."
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff also called on Canada to pressure the UN secretary general to appoint a special representative to Sri Lanka to push for a ceasefire
"The humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka has continued to deteriorate, causing grave concern to the international community and demanding urgent and co-ordinated action to end this conflict," Ignatieff said in a statement, according to the National Post report.
Cannon's remarks fly in the face of the assessment of Sri Lankan envoy Daya Perera, who said Wednesday that: "there is a limit; the freedom of expression has to stop somewhere."
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff also called on Canada to pressure the UN secretary general to appoint a special representative to Sri Lanka to push for a ceasefire
"The humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka has continued to deteriorate, causing grave concern to the international community and demanding urgent and co-ordinated action to end this conflict," Ignatieff said in a statement, according to the National Post report.
