432-01221 (Foreign affairs)

WHEREAS the war on the Tigray region of Ethiopia has led to more than 63,110 refugees fleeing to camps in neighboring Sudan, 2.2 million civilians internally displaced, and over 5.2 million people in need.

WHEREAS the war on Tigray has resulted in a man-made famine. The World Food Program estimates that 5.2 million people, 91% of Tigray's population, need emergency food assistance.

WHEREAS Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is systematically used as a weapon of war in Tigray by Eritrean troops and nonregional military forces.

WHEREAS Journalists in Ethiopia are being threatened or killed for reporting on the atrocities in Tigray.

WHEREAS since November 2020, Canada has provided $37 million in humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia for the crisis in Tigray. However, it is unclear whether this assistance will be used to address the humanitarian needs in Tigray.

We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada call upon the House of Commons to:

• Immediately call to establish an UN-Ied inquiry commission to verify the withdrawal of Eritrean and non-regional forces from the Tigray region.
• Immediately call for unfettered humanitarian access to Tigray. Call for humanitarian discussion under Resolution 2417 (2018).
• Immediately withhold all non-life-saving funding from Canada to Ethiopia until the cessation of violence is achieved.
• Provide an update on how funds for humanitarian assistance Canada has given to Ethiopia support the people affected in the Tigray region.
• Immediately call for Canada to investigate whether the crimes committed in Tigray amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.