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June 29th, 2019

NDP Raises Deep Concerns About Links Between Canadian Company and the Sudan Military Regime

RIMOUSKI -

Following a recent media report, the NDP’s Foreign Affairs Critic Guy Caron expressed deep concerns with the reported links between a Canadian company, Dickens & Madson, and the Transitional Military Council (TMC) regime in Sudan. The Globe and Mail report raises serious concerns that a Montreal-based company may be in violation of Canadian law, UN sanctions, and other lobbying and corporate responsibility regulations.

“These allegations are really serious and deeply concerning. It is the responsibility of Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government to investigate this report as quickly as possible,” said Caron. “It is completely unacceptable that a Canadian company could be complicit of human rights violations and death.”

The Globe and Mail story reports that the contract from the Montreal-based company was signed by General Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, who is the deputy leader of the TMC and head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, formerly known as the Janjaweed. The RSF recently led the brutal crackdown on peaceful civilian protesters in Khartoum, resulting in the death of over 100 people. This also comes on the eve of Sunday’s planned demonstrations across Sudan calling on the military to hand over power to a civilian leadership, which the Sudanese military has pledged to suppress.

“Unfortunately, from Saudi Arabia to Libya, and now in Sudan, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have repeatedly refused to provide proper oversight of Canadian companies abroad and have allowed the interests of Canadian corporations to take priority over human rights and democracy,” added Caron. “It’s time for Canada to match its actions to its rhetoric and ensure Canadian corporations are in full compliance with international law and human rights.”