December 16, 2014 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement regarding the decision to convene a conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions:
“Canada has conveyed its deep concerns and has communicated clearly that it will neither attend this conference nor lend it any credibility.
“Canada is deeply disappointed by the convening of this one-sided and politicized conference, which serves only to single out one country, Israel, for criticism. Canada has complete faith in the strength of the rule of law in Israel, and we believe the Israelis are capable of investigating matters surrounding the events that took place in Gaza in the summer of 2014.
“This conference risks undermining the integrity and credibility of the Geneva Conventions and the neutrality of their application.
“Such a misguided approach will neither serve the cause of peace nor bring the parties closer to a negotiated settlement.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaFP
Like us on Facebook: Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada-DFATD
