CJPME Factsheet 125, published June, 2011: This factsheet looks at Canada’s continued defunding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians in the Near East (UNRWA), which provides assistance, protection and advocacy to approximately 4.8 million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East. Until 2009, Canada had been one of the top 20 contributors to UNRWA’s core programs. While UNRWA’s funding grew consistently between 2000 and 2008, Canada was the only donor country to defund UNRWA’s core programs during this period. Continue reading

CJPME Factsheet 126, published June, 2011: This factsheet provides an overview the Canadian Boat to Gaza (CBG), an initiative by 26 veteran social-justice activists from across Canada, intended to assist international efforts to break the Israeli-led blockade of Gaza. To do this, the CBG will non-violently challenge Israel’s illegal blockade (onboard the Tahrir), carry medical supplies and other urgently-needed humanitarian aid, and seek to draw international attention to the suffering of the people of Gaza. Continue reading

CJPME Factsheet 122, published May, 2011: This factsheet provides a biographical depiction of Libya’s longtime ruler, Muammar Gaddafi. This factsheet looks at historical context surrounding Gaddafi’s ascendance to power, Libya’s transformation under his rule, his tensions and reconciliation with the West, his base of support among the populace, and what will be his legacy after decades in power. Continue reading

CJPME Factsheet 118, published May, 2011: This factsheet discusses the significant political developments taking place in Syria since the first few months of 2011. Syria has been led by the autocratic regimes for over four decades: Hafez al-Assad from 1971 until his death in 2000, and by his son Bashar al-Assad ever since. There are credible reports of armed resistance to the Assad government, which raises the question of whether President al-Assad can be expected to remain in power. In order to address this question, this factsheet looks at who are the Syrian protesters and what are their demands, how much support they have, and what are the root grievances behind the protests. Continue reading

CJPME Factsheet 123, published May, 2011: This factsheet provides an overview of Libya’s ongoing civil war after three months of violence. This factsheet addresses frequently asked questions regarding the conflict, such as: what triggered protests in Libya? What are the protesters’ larger grievances? How did civil war erupt? Who stands with or against Gaddafi? And how has NATO justified its military intervention in Libya? Continue reading

CJPME Factsheet 115, published May, 2011: Canadian Tire is one of the oldest companies in Canada. Currently, Canadian Tire sells products from the Israeli company Keter Plastic that are manufactured in the Jewish-only colonies of Barkan and Oranit in the West Bank. By selling Keter Plastic products, Canadian Tire is encouraging and legitimizing Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian land, which violates several of the UN Norms on the responsibilities of transnational corporations. Continue reading

CJPME Factsheet 127, published May, 2011: This factsheet looks at the sudden decision by the Canadian government to defund KAIROS, a Canadian non- governmental organization (NGO). The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has financially supported KAIROS since 1976, but on November 30th 2009, KAIROS was informed that its four-year (2009-2013) funding request had been denied. In addition to the government’s false allegations against KAIROS at the time of the defunding, several ethical issues were uncovered in the subsequent year. Continue reading

CJPME Factsheet 119, published April, 2011: This factsheet provides an overview of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual) community in the Middle East. While the international LGBT community is slowly gaining official recognition from governments and societies, the situation for the LGBT community in the Middle East is especially dismal. This factsheet looks at how homosexuals are viewed in the Middle East, whether they have any legal protections, and whether attitudes towards LGBT in the region are changing. Continue reading

CJPME Factsheet 120, published March, 2011: This factsheet provides an overview of Egypt’s Coptic Christian community, which represent 10% of Egyptians. Since there is no racial or ethnic difference between Christian and Muslim Egyptians, this factsheet looks at who the Coptic Christians of Egypt are, how are the relations between them vis-à-vis their government, how well they co-exist with Muslims, and what are the kinds of discriminations they face in Egyptian society. Continue reading

CJPME Factsheet 110, published February, 2011: This factsheet looks at the anti-government protests taking place in Yemen, some of the most significant in the country’s history. US-allied President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been in power for three decades and Yemenis’ patience for reforms is running out. Protests stem from economic stagnation and rising inequality—it is the poorest country in the Arab world—as well as the lack of democracy. The Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings have inspired Yemenis and have generated a sense among them that deep change is now within their grasp. Continue reading