Green Party Supports UN Investigation into Types of Weapons Used in Gaza
OTTAWA-- The Green Party of Canada supports the call for a UN investigation into the types of weapons used in the Gaza offensive and condemns their use in this and other conflicts throughout the world. These weapons include White Phosphorus, Depleted Uranium, Dense Inert Metal Explosives, and Qassam Rockets.
The effects of White Phosphorus are severe; particles of ignited white phosphorus landing on skin can continue to burn right through flesh to the bone. The use of white phosphorus against civilians was banned in the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons. White phosphorus has also been used in conflicts in Iraq and in the Balkans. "We believe no adequate safeguard can be taken to prevent civilian exposure to these weapons' harmful effects in an area like Gaza, which is so densely populated," said Eric Walton, International Affairs critic for the Green Party of Canada.
Accusations have also been made that the offensive involved weapons that use Depleted Uranium, a waste product of the nuclear enrichment process and a suspected cause of 'Gulf War syndrome', associated with immune system disorders, cancer, and chronic pain. The U.S. is a leading supplier of DU weapons internationally, with Canada playing a prominent role as well. Canadian uranium mining provides material for these weapons.
"Depleted uranium has been used in other violent conflicts around the world and, even if no evidence is found of its use in Gaza, there always remains a risk of its use in future conflict. The Green Party of Canada calls for its inclusion in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a complete ban of its use in war everywhere," said Mr. Walton.
Just as disturbing to the Green Party of Canada is the suspicion of 'new' weapons such as Dense Inert Metal Explosives (DIME) being used in Gaza. These weapons cause major injuries to the lower part of the body and abdomen.
Although they are less lethal and not on the same scale as the other weapons used, the Green Party of Canada nonetheless recognizes that Qassam rockets are illegal weapons. These unguided rockets are imprecise rendering them ineffective against military targets and are used solely to target civilian populations. The use of Qassam and Grad rocket weapon systems must also be included in a U.N. investigation.
"The international Global Green Charter declares our commitment to nonviolence and our willingness to strive for a culture of peace and cooperation between states, inside societies and between individuals as the basis of global security. We believe that security should not rest on military strength alone but on cooperation and respect for human rights. The Green Party of Canada once again calls for renewed efforts for a lasting peace in the region and condemns, on both sides of the conflict, any and all targeting of civilians," said Ellen Michelson, newly appointed Peace and Security critic for the Green Party of Canada.
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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
Office: 613 562 4916 ext. 244
Cell : 613 614 4916
Fax : 613 482 4632
Backgrounder:
Green Party supports UN investigation into types of weapons used in Gaza offensive and condemns their use in this and other conflicts throughout the world.
White Phosphorus – Recent use by Israeli forces of White Phosphorus in Gaza, and previously in Lebanon as well as by other countries in other conflicts, is condemned by the Green Party of Canada. The use of white phosphorus against civilians was banned in the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects. The convention came into force in December 1983 as an annex to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Regrettably, only a few countries have signed the relevant Protocol III, which deals with incendiary weapons such as white phosphorus. White phosphorus has also been used in conflicts in Iraq and in the Balkans.
“We believe no adequate safeguard can be taken to prevent civilian exposure to its harmful effects in an area like Gaza, which is so densely populated,” said Eric Walton, International Affairs critic for the Green Party. These effects are severe. Particles of ignited white phosphorus landing on skin can continue to burn right through flesh to the bone. Toxic phosphoric acid can also be released into wounds, risking phosphorus poisoning. Skin burns must be immersed in water or covered with wet cloths to prevent re-combustion until the particles can be removed. Exposure to white phosphorus smoke in the air can also cause liver, kidney, heart, lung or bone damage and even death. While its users claim deployment of White Phosphorus is intended for illumination or smokescreen purposes, the unavoidability of harm to civilians, especially in places of dense population, makes it sometimes effectively akin to its prohibited direct use as weapon.
Depleted Uranium (DU) - In 2006 there were accusations that weapons made of depleted uranium were used in the offensive in Lebanon. A subsequent UN investigation found no evidence DU weaponry was used; however, the accusation has been made once more concerning the offensive in Gaza. While accusations, if erroneous and otherwise inappropriate, do not further the cause of seeking peace and reconciliation, the Green Party believes nonetheless the public’s attention should be drawn to the use of depleted uranium. which is known to have taken place in other violent conflicts. Depleted uranium is a waste product of the nuclear enrichment process and at least 18 countries are known to have DU in their arsenals. The U.S. is a leading supplier of DU weapons internationally, with Canada playing a prominent role as well. Dr. Rosalie Bertell, one of the world's leading authorities on health effects of low-level radiation, speaking at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto in May 1999 said, “Canadian uranium is basically providing the material for these weapons. And I really would ask you to make this an issue in the front/center and stop it now as quickly as you can.”
DU, because of its extreme hardness, is used in armour-piercing tank rounds and bullets, as well as "bunker-busting" bombs. When it strikes a hard target, each weapon sheds around 20% of its mass, creating a fine dust of DU, burning at extremely high temperatures. This dust can be re-suspended by the wind, and has been reported to have traveled twenty-five miles on air currents. The heat of the DU impact and secondary fires means that much of the dust produced is ceramic, and can remain in the lungs for years if inhaled.
“Depleted uranium has been used in other violent conflicts around the world and even if no evidence is found of its use in Gaza there always remains a risk of its use in future conflict. The Green Party calls for its inclusion in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a complete ban of its use in war everywhere,” said Mr. Walton.
Dense Inert Metal Explosives (DIME) - Just as disturbing to the Green Party is the suspicion of ‘new’ weapons such as DIME being used in Gaza. Dr Erik Fosse, a Norwegian surgeon who worked at the Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, has reported a significant increase in double amputations. Dr. Fosse has described the effect of a DIME weapon as a pressure wave that moves from the ground upwards, causing major injuries to the lower part of the body and abdomen. He suspects the use of DIME weapons because doctors and medics saw cases of huge amounts of flesh torn off the lower parts of the body. The Green Party condemns the development and use of these weapons and is calling for an investigation into Dr. Fosse’s suspicions and reports in order to determine whether these weapons have in fact been used.
Qassam Rockets – Although they are less lethal and not on the same scale as the other weapons used, the Green Party nonetheless recognizes that Qassam rockets are illegal weapons. The rockets are so imprecise they endanger civilians in the area from which the rockets are fired as well as where they land. This violates two fundamental principles of the laws of war: distinction and proportionality. Both the use of these weapons and their launch from civilian-populated areas demonstrate not only their intention to strike Israeli civilians, but their indifference to the loss of Palestinian lives as well.
“The international Global Green Charter declares our commitment to nonviolence, willingness to strive for a culture of peace and cooperation between states, inside societies and between individuals as the basis of global security. We believe that security should not rest on military strength alone but on cooperation and respect for human rights. The Green Party once again calls for renewed efforts for a lasting peace in the region and condemns, on both sides of the conflict, any and all targeting of civilians,” said Ellen Michelson, newly appointed Peace and Security critic for the Green Party.
