Calling for an end to torture in Canada's prisons

Details: Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00; Written by editor

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CFSC joins in renewed calls to end prolonged solitary confinement

CFSC was among dozens of groups recently invited to a “consultation” convened by the Correctional Service of Canada to discuss issues within Structured Intervention Units—highly restrictive prison units that continue to subject individuals to prolonged, indefinite solitary confinement.

A number of the invited organizations have signed an open letter criticizing the “consultation” and calling on the federal government to take immediate action to end torture in Canada’s federal prisons.

Write to encourage those imprisoned for reasons of conscience

Since 2017 CFSC has partnered with the Israeli human rights group Mesarvot, which provides advice and support to young Israelis who refuse conscription into the military. Many of these young people wind up imprisoned because of their conscientious objection to military service. One thing that we can each do is to take a few minutes and let them know that they aren't alone. Read the story of 19 year old Eran and write him a letter of support: https://www.refuser.org/refuser-updates/eraninjail

CFSC also continues to experience a concern for Canada's role in the Israel/Palestine situation. One important area is how the situation is covered by Canadian media. See this recent joint letter (PDF) expressing multiple issues with coverage decisions by the CBC.

We also recently endorsed an event on the arms trade between Canada and Israel called Hidden in Plain Sight: Uncovering the Israel-Canada Weapons and Security Trade.

Stop Excluding Military Pollution from Climate Agreements

CFSC has signed a petition to the countries meeting at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in November. The petition states:

"The 2015 Paris Agreement left cutting military greenhouse gas emissions to the discretion of individual nations. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change obliges signatories to publish annual greenhouse gas emissions, but military emissions reporting is voluntary and often not included."

The petition calls for "strict greenhouse gas emissions limits that make no exception for militarism." It is open for individual and organizational signatures.

Wild fires are currently raging in many parts of Canada. Government scientists have concluded that they're exacerbated by climate change. Photo: Pixabay.

Petition to stop the Trans Mountain Pipeline

The Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (TMX) is new fossil fuel infrastructure that will result in an increase in fossil fuel emissions at a time when the science is abundantly clear that we need to move away from burning fossil fuels in order to maintain a livable planet for present and future generations.

Friends in Vancouver are actively working to oppose TMX and Vancouver Meeting supports r0 | Manage email preferences