Sen. Mobina Jaffer Urges Canada to Increase Efforts in Dealing with Syria Crisis

In addressing parliament on May 9, Senator Mobina Jaffer provided information to her fellow lawmakers on how the situation in Syria is evolving and commented on Canada's policy regarding the conflict in Syria, with a particular concern for the women and children.

Below you will find official transcripts from the oral submissions by Sen. Mobina Jaffer.

1st Session, 41st Parliament,
Volume 148, Issue 162
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker

Syria

Political Unrest and Violence

Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an estimated 6.8 million Syrians, or almost one third of the entire population, require urgent humanitarian assistance. About 3.1 million, or around 50 per cent, of those who currently require assistance are children. Over the past year, humanitarian needs have risen by 5.8 million people, up from 1 million estimated to be in need in March of this year. Almost half of this increase occurred during the first four months of this year.

Over the past months, the number of internally displaced persons in Syria has more than doubled from an estimated 2 million to 4.25 million people. The number of refugees fleeing Syria to neighbouring countries and North Africa increased by almost 850,000 people in the first four months of 2013. As of Monday, May 6, more than 1.4 million Syrian refugees are registered or awaiting registration in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and North Africa.

Honourable senators, the conflict in Syria is not being fought on isolated battlefields. It is being fought in communities, and women and children suffer most. As the International Rescue Committee’s Commission on Syrian Refugees reports, rape is a significant and disturbing feature of the conflict in Syria. To quote the commission’s report:

The IRC’s women’s protection team in Lebanon was told of a young girl who was gang-raped and forced to stagger home naked—heightening her shame in a society where modesty is so valued…. In one extreme case, the IRC was told of a father who shot his daughter when an armed group approached to prevent the “disgrace” of her being raped.

In closing, honourable senators, I will quote from the International Civil Society Action Network’s brief speaking about Syrian civil society activists.

The international community must recognize their resilience, and aspirations for the future, and support their efforts to withstand the impact of war.

Their work is a testament to the dignity and humanity of Syrians and provides a glimpse of a peaceful pluralistic Syria for which they are striving.

Honourable senators, as I have reported to you, since that brief was published only a few months ago the situation in Syria has worsened considerably. We need to do everything we can to help innocent people, most of them women and children, who are suffering because the war is being fought in their homes.

1st Session, 41st Parliament,
Volume 148, Issue 162
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker

Foreign Affairs

Syria—Humanitarian Aid for Refugees

Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Syrian refugees now constitute more than 10 per cent of the population in Lebanon. In Jordan, the population has increased by 6 per cent as a result of the refugee influx. As of Monday, May 6, more than 1.4 million Syrian refugees were registered or awaiting registration in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and North Africa.

I commend the government for its work with the International Red Cross; the Red Crescent movement in Turkey; UNICEF in Jordan and Iraq; and the UN Refugee Agency in London. I understand that since January 2012, Canada has allocated $48.5 million to international humanitarian assistance efforts in Syria and neighbouring countries, but sadly the situation is worsening. The number of refugees fleeing Syria to neighbouring countries and North Africa increased by almost 850,000 people in the first four months of 2013. Canada’s foreign minister has admitted that we have to do more.

What additional funds will the government make available to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees, both those still in Syria and those who have fled to neighbouring countries?

Hon. Marjory LeBreton (Leader of the Government): I thank the honourable senator for the question, and for one that actually makes some sense. I have some data that I will read to the honourable senator.

Honourable senators know that the government has been providing assistance with food, water, housing and safety for the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled Syria since 2011. Minister Kenney has met and spoken with Syrian Canadians across the country on many occasions about the crisis in Syria. Canada is one of the world’s largest donors of relief for Syrian refugees. The minister recently visited Syrian refugee camps in Turkey, where he announced that the government is contributing an additional $1.5 million to the Red Cross to help address the needs of those who have fled. This funding will provide food, water and shelter, as well as items such as hygiene kits, blankets, heaters and clothing for up to 170,000 displaced Syrians.

Honourable senators, Canada respects the international consensus reflected in the UNHCR recommendations and is working closely with the United Nations with a view to assisting these refugees.

Senator Jaffer: Honourable senators, I have a supplementary question for the leader. I am presently working with Syrian women trying to make changes in their country. They are community workers simply trying to make a change. I hear about what is happening to them, and I have never in my life heard such things. I would not be able to repeat it here because I would not be able to get through my question.

How many Syrian refugees have we brought to Canada since this crisis began?

Senator LeBreton: I do not know that, but I will take the honourable senator’s question as notice.

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