October 17, 2014 - The Honourable Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, today issued the following statement:
“Canada is appalled by a deliberate attack that has resulted in the deaths of three peacekeepers from Ethiopia, who were serving in the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). This brings the total number of peacekeepers killed this month alone to 15, making this one of the deadliest months for global UN peace support operations so far.
“These individuals voluntarily put themselves in harm’s way in an effort to help provide some stability and security for the most vulnerable. On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my sincerest condolences to the friends and families of those who lost their lives in the attack, and I call on the authorities to act swiftly to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
“This attack further demonstrates the increasingly dangerous conditions facing today’s peace efforts and the great price that is being paid as a result of the ongoing conflict in Darfur. Canada calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Darfur and for an all-inclusive national dialogue that will result in concrete steps in addressing the problems in Sudan.”
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