Canadian Human Rights Groups Sue Government Over Military Exports to Israel

Rabat – A group of Palestinian Canadians and human rights lawyers, has initiated legal action against the Canadian government with the aim of blocking military exports to Israel.

The lawsuit, filed by Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR), Al-Haq Law in the Service of Man, and Canadians directly affected by the conflict, maintains that Canada’s approval of military exports undermines its obligations under international law, according to a CBC report.

The plaintiffs, which include individuals who have lost family members in Gaza, are petitioning the federal court to halt Ottawa’s issuance of permits for military equipment exports to Israel.

They argue in the case that by providing equipment to Israel, Canada is complicit in the atrocities committed against Palestinians.

Hammam Farah, a member of the coalition behind the lawsuit, condemned the Canadian government’s actions. “It’s cruel and reprehensible that our government has continued to provide material support to Israel’s atrocities, while at the same time cutting off humanitarian support to the victims of those same atrocities.”

The lawsuit singles out Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Justice Minister Arif Virani. After efforts by the coalition to address the issue through communication with Minister Joly, they claim to have received no response.

According to Global Affairs Canada (GAC), while Canada has not allowed exports of arms to Israel in decades, permits for “non-lethal” military equipment have been approved since October 7.

GAC emphasized that these permits do not include full weapon systems for major conventional arms or light weapons.

Since October 7, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 30,500 Palestinians, with most casualties recorded among unarmed civilians and children.

The plaintiffs argue that Canada’s approval of military exports to Israel violates the Export and Import Permits Act, which prohibits permits if there is “a substantial risk” that such exports would undermine peace and security or be used to violate international law.

Similar cases have been brought forward in other countries, including in the Netherlands. UN officials have warned that such transfers could violate international humanitarian law and must cease immediately.