Minister Marc Garneau: Release Investigation Findings, Reinforce Arm Sales Ban to Turkey and Azerbaijan

Minister Marc Garneau: Release Investigation Findings, Reinforce Arms Sale Ban to Turkey and Azerbaijan

In October 2020, the Canadian Government suspended the permits for the WESCAM target acquisition sensors that were bound for Turkey. The Government also launched a full investigation, promising that should the investigation confirm that the Canadian manufactured target acquisition sensors were illegally diverted to Azerbaijan by Turkey, it would take further action.

The evidence is already clear and it is time for the Government to take action!

Take a minute to write to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Marc Garneau and ask him to release the results of the investigation and enforce a ban on arms sales to Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Garneau release investigation, ban arms export to Turkey and Azerbaijan

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Dear Minister Garneau,

As a Canadian citizen, I am writing to you today to share my profound concerns and expectations regarding the investigation on the use of WESCAM target acquisition sensors by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

The recently revealed information by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development provided clear evidence on how Turkey brazenly lied to our government and abused Canada’s arms export regime to fuel Azerbaijan’s agenda of war and aggression against the Armenian people.

I am deeply disturbed to find out that our government naively believed Turkish lies and followed ill-advised recommendations that granted Turkey several arms exemptions, despite the embargo placed in October 2019.

So-called “allies” do not behave this way, and they should be dealt with accordingly.

Currently, there are several pending permit applications related to WESCAM gear bound to go to Azerbaijan via Turkey. My firm expectation is that our government will strictly deny these permits and not allow for Turkey and Azerbaijan to make the Canadian government directly complicit in their aggressive and destabilizing agenda.

Turkey and Azerbaijan cannot be trusted, nor could they be regarded as honest brokers. Under domestic law and under the International Arms Trade Treaty, the Canadian government is required to prevent, detect, and stop the diversion of military goods to users other than intended customers. It’s also compelled to stop exports of such restricted goods that are proven to harm civilians and exacerbate conflicts. Turkey must be held accountable for violating the conditions of the export permits and should face the appropriate diplomatic consequences.

The WESCAM equipped Bayraktar TB2 drones caused unimaginable suffering and death to the Armenian people. Canada must take a strong stance and prioritize human rights and our obligations under international law above all else.

I strongly urge you to immediately release the results of the investigation, uphold all the current suspensions and reinforce a full ban on all arms sales to Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Thank you for your consideration.

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