Issues

Multiple groups say “Shut Down CANSEC” arms show, call for independent inquiry into CADSI lobby group

Instagram image. Labour for Palestine, the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS), the Palestinian Youth Movement, Anakbayan Ottawa and the Anti-Imperialist Alliance say: “Warmongers will not be allowed to gather in peace!” Their social media post adds: “Individuals and organizations will be gathering again at North America’s largest trade show Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Nehirowisiw land defenders establish blockade to stop clearcutting on unceded Nitaskinan territory in northern Quebec

Photo by Franklin Lopez. On April 9, Nehirowisiw (Atikamekw) land defenders set up a blockade in Opiticiwan to safeguard their ancestral lands of Nitaskinan from logging. Ricochet has previously noted: “The Atikamekw Nation, which represents close to 6,700 people spread over three reserves — Opitciwan, Wemotaci and Manawan — occupies Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Colombia accompanies the Justice and Peace Commission at Amazon Pearl Campesino Reserve Zone youth meeting

PBI-Colombia has posted: “We accompanied @justiciapazcolombia [Justice and Peace Commission] to the first Youth Meeting of the year organized by @perlaamazonica_zrcpa [Amazon Pearl Campesino Reserve Zone] in #Putumayo. In the event children and young people from the different communities that make up the Amazon Pearl participate to reflect on the Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Honduras attends PRO assembly as ASODEBICOQ defends environment from extractive projects in Santa Bárbara

PBI-Honduras has posted: “We attended the Assembly of the Patronato Regional de Occidente (PRO) in Santa Barbara. #ASODEBICOQ along with other civil society representatives expressed concern about the different #needs of its inhabitants and proposed projects to solve them. We are concerned about the major problems associated with #deforestation, #water Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Canada talks about the CORE with University of Minnesota law school class

On April 4, PBI-Canada coordinator Brent Patterson shared an overview of concerns about the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) with students at the University of Minnesota Law School. We began with a timeline: the civil society call for an Ombudsperson began in 2007; the Liberal Party promised an ombudsperson Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Canada presentation to UN Special Rapporteur on the right to water Pedro Arrojo-Agudo

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, is visiting Canada from April 8-19. He will share the preliminary findings of his visit on April 19 at 11:30 am ET at the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa. He will then present Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Indigenous communities present to UN Special Rapporteur on the right to water about the threat of Ring of Fire mining

Last night we heard powerful testimony from Indigenous communities who would be affected by the Ring of Fire mining development. Representatives from the Neskantaga and Attawapiskat nations made presentations to Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to water, at a gathering at Carleton University in Ottawa. Neskantaga Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

International Court of Justice to make provisional ruling on arms exports to Israel within weeks

Video still: The ICJ hears case on weapons exports to Israel. Foreign Policy reports: “Nicaragua asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday [April 8] to order Germany to stop all arms exports to Israel. …Germany is Israel’s second-largest arms provider after Washington, with the former having sent $353.7 Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Guatemala accompanies the Indigenous Community of San Francisco Quezaltepeque as it protects Cerro del Quetzal ancestral lands

PBI-Guatemala has posted: “The day before yesterday [on April 6] #PBI accompanied the indigenous community of San Francisco Quezaltepeque in an investigation carried out by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the Quezaltepeque volcano. Last month the Maya Ch’orti’ authorities and neighbours of the community filed a complaint about attempts by Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

General Dynamics has “no comment” on Canadian House of Commons vote to cease arms exports to Israel

Photo: A protest outside the General Dynamics arms factory in Hastings, United Kingdom; March 13, 2024. Despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on January 26th that Israel’s acts in Gaza could amount to genocide, General Dynamics in Canada has “no comment to provide” on the motion passed in Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago