March 6 , 2003
Re: War against Iraq
The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) is distressed about the United States' preparation for war in Iraq. While we celebrate the international grass-root anti-war campaigns, we remain highly concerned about the sharp division among different states in resolving the present crisis. For more than 25 years, though our first hand experiences of working consistently towards rehabilitation of survivors of torture and war on the one hand and public education on the scourge of torture on the other we have come to the conclusion that:
- War creates the space and opportunities for the widespread use of torture. In a state of war, where certain people are regarded as enemies, torture can and often is justified and even sanctioned by belligerent parties. In this case there are no longer any "good guys".
- Torture is one of the most extreme aspects of tyranny. It acts as a sinister short cut to maintaining tyrannical power. Therefore, we are against tyranny of all kinds including that of Saddam Hussein.
- Torture and terrorism are twin entities. Our clients have suffered as a result of both.
- Violence is the source of all kinds of torture, cruelty and atrocities. A culture of peace and non-violence needs to be fostered at a grass-roots level. It is imperative to counteract violence through non-violent means. It is also necessary to address the root causes if we want to end violence.
- War has the potential to spread. There is a danger that military operations against a particular government could lead to a full-fledged, unbridled regional or even a global war of attrition.
- War has never been and will never be a solution. With the continuation of any war, new shackles and new burdens are being imposed on the civilian population. It renders thousands of women, men and children refugees. There is no war without casualties and, as we can see in many countries of the world today, casualties are civilians and vulnerable populations.
Therefore, we earnestly and strongly seek global peace. We need to mobilize all our forces to counteract and prevent the outbreak of war. We call upon the Canadian government to denounce war. Canada should use her moral authority and convince the United States of America to deal with this issue with patience and respect. Peace and multilateral solutions through United Nations mechanisms should be given a fair chance. The CCVT supports the millions of people across the globe who have raised their anxious voices against the war. From bitter and tragic experience, we deserve no war, no tyranny, no terrorism, and no torture. We do not accept any excuses or any justifications whatsoever for their continuing presence.
For more information, please contact Mulugeta Abai, CCVT Executive Director, at 416-363-1066, or email him at mabai@ccvt.org.
