November 7, 2005
No. 210
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Cooperation Minister Aileen
Carroll today condemned the recent killings of humanitarian aid workers in separate
attacks in southern Sudan and northern Uganda. The ministers called for state and
non-state actors to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and to be held
accountable for attacks on aid workers operating in territory under their control.
“Canada strongly condemns these killings, which, while deplorable in and of
themselves, restrict vital humanitarian operations and thereby threaten the security of
countless civilians,” said Minister Pettigrew. “We call on all parties to ensure the full,
safe and unhindered access of humanitarian workers to the people in need in Sudan
and northern Uganda.”
“CIDA continues to provide much-needed humanitarian assistance and support for
peacebuilding activities in the region,” said Minister Carroll. “We are, however, deeply
concerned by the recent escalation of violence and an apparent targeting of
humanitarian aid workers. This cannot continue—civilians in this region have suffered
long enough.”
The attacks, which began late last month, have so far claimed the lives of five aid
workers. On Wednesday, October 26, 2005, two local aid workers working for
international organizations were killed in northern Uganda. On Monday, October 31,
2005, two deminers were ambushed and killed in southern Sudan. The most recent
attack took place on Saturday, November 5, 2005, when a British aid worker was
attacked and killed while driving from Uganda to the Sudanese town of Yei.
In response to this rising insecurity, some United Nations agencies and
non-governmental organizations have been forced to limit their operations in the region.
Humanitarian agencies provide vital assistance to more than 1.6 million internally
displaced persons in northern Uganda, and are supporting critical peacebuilding and
rehabilitation needs in Sudan.
The 19-year-old conflict in northern Uganda has created one of the world’s worst
humanitarian emergencies. Southern Sudan is recovering from decades of civil conflict
following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
James Christoff
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Andrew Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
(819) 953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
(819) 953-6534
http://www.cida.gc.ca
