Saudi Arabia defends the use of canadian armour against its population

QMI agency

Thursday, 17 August, 2017 01:17

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Thursday, 17 August, 2017 01:17

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OTTAWA – The government of saudi Arabia has defended his decision to use canadian armour against civilians, reported the Globe and Mail”.

Videos showing what appear to be armored vehicles manufactured by Terradyne Armoured Vehicles in Ontario that are deployed against civilians in a region with a shiite majority in saudi Arabia, had aroused many questions. The minister of foreign Affairs, asked by chrystia Freeland, was said to be “greatly concerned” and had launched an investigation into the matter.

The saudi arabian embassy in Canada, told the “Globe” that the kingdom has the right to defend its citizens against “terrorist groups”.

Riyadh has made a parallel between the attack in Ottawa, which occurred on October 22, 2014, and its use of armoured vehicles. “The canadian authorities have fought the attacker and killed him on the spot to protect canadian civilians. Combat terrorism and protect the innocent are not violations of the rights of Man,” said the embassy to the “Globe”.

This question of the protection of human rights is at the heart of a debate surrounding a major contract of approximately $ 15 billion for the sale of 900 light armored vehicles that need to be built in London, Ontario, by the american group General Dynamics.

In particular, the montreal lawyer Daniel Turp had sued the government on this contract, on the basis that the sale violated Canada’s obligations in the field of human rights. The federal Court had, however, ruled in favor of Ottawa at the beginning of the year.