FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 12, 2008
NDP MP TAKES STRONG STAND AGAINST UNETHICAL WEAPONS
BC Southern Interior MP tabled a motion on abolishing depleted uranium arms
OTTAWA – NDP MP Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior) - tabled a motion (M-509) on Wednesday calling on the government to take a leading role in helping to abolish the use of depleted uranium (DU) in armaments and munitions. The motion also calls for the government to cease the deployment of our military and civilian personnel in regions where these weapons have been or will be used.
"The Canadian government must take strong and decisive action to help rid the world of this environmental and toxic health hazard. Long lasting and often deadly effects on soldiers and innocent civilians alike have been well documented," said Atamanenko. "Our military does not use depleted uranium weapons and we should not be deploying our soldiers to fight with armies who do."
Atamanenko's motion comes on the heels of a far-reaching resolution that was passed on May 22, 2008, by the European Parliament towards an EU and NATO-wide moratorium and global ban.
Atamanenko says depleted uranium weapons, much like cluster bombs and landmines, have an indiscriminate effect on civilian populations long after they are used in combat. He suggests this runs counter to the basic rules and principles that are already enshrined in international, humanitarian and environmental laws. Currently there are 18 countries that use depleted uranium weapons in their arsenals. Under international law they are considered weapons of mass destruction. Statutes and regulations under the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) prohibit the use of Canadian uranium in DU weapons.
"It is unacceptable that we would contravene our own laws and agreements by failing to ensure that our uranium is only used for peaceful purposes. I'm deeply concerned about the dangers of depleted uranium, and I strongly support my colleague, Alex Atamanenko's motion," added NDP Defence Critic, Dawn Black (Burnaby New Westminster)
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For more information:
Office of Alex Atamanenko, MP
1- 613-996-8036
Status of House Business
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
M-509 - Mr. Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior) — Depleted uranium weapons — Notice — June 10, 2008
M-509 — June 10, 2008 — Mr. Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior) — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should: (a) adhere to paragraph 1 of the United Nations (UN) Resolution A/RES/62/30 and submit a report including views on the effects of the use of armaments and ammunition containing depleted uranium; (b) cease all deployment of military and civilian personnel in regions where uranium weapons have been, might have been, will be or might be used within the framework of future operations; (c) provide full information to military and civilian personnel on mission, as well as to professional organizations, about the probability that depleted uranium has been or might be used in their region of operation and to take sufficient protection measures; (d) fully support the establishment of an environmental inventory of depleted uranium contaminated areas, according to the specifications of paragraph 6 of a May 22, 2008, European Union resolution and include financial support for clean-up operations of affected areas; (e) call on all countries to abolish the use of depleted uranium weapons, and systematically halt production and procurement of this type of weaponry; (f) take a leading role in working, through the UN, towards an international treaty establishing a ban on the development, production, stockpiling, transfer, testing and use of uranium weapons as well as the destruction or recycling of existing stocks; and (g) forward this resolution through the Prime Minister to NATO, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the UN and the UN Environmental Programme, the European Organization of Military Associations, the International Community of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization.
United Nations (UN) Resolution A/RES/62/30
http://daccess-ods.un.org
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