Posted: Wednesday, 23 March 2011

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) condemns brutal violence in Bahrain and has requested the Government of Canada to press the authorities in Bahrain to immediately end the state of martial law and for the removal of foreign troops. The CLC has also written to the Ambassador of Bahrain calling for an immediate stop to the systematic murder of people struggling for legitimate democratic rights.

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON, Canada
K1A 0G2

Dear Minister Cannon:

Re: Martial Law in Bahrain

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), I am writing to request your urgent intervention to press the authorities in Bahrain to immediately end the state of martial law imposed on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, and to send the foreign troops, currently in Bahrain, back to their home countries. Some 1,000 troops from Saudi Arabia are now in Bahrain, and we understand that other Gulf Cooperation Council States are in the process of sending security forces into the country.

The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) has confirmed reports of brutal aggression against a number of workers, including security forces in civilian clothing shooting at workers on their way to and from work. The GFBTU has condemned the interference of forces from other Gulf countries in Bahrain, and called their presence in the country an “occupation of Bahrain.”

The CLC is asking you as a matter of high priority and urgency, to intervene on this vitally important issue in solidarity with the working people of Bahrain and in defence of their fundamental rights.

Sincerely,

Kenneth V. Georgetti
President