Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Syrian sanctions

May 24, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

On May 24th our Government announced targeted sanctions against the Syrian regime and some designated individuals and entities in response to the on-going violent crackdown by its military and security forces against Syrians peacefully protesting for democracy and human rights.

These measures, which are a blend of administrative measures and actions taken under the authority of the Special Economic Measures Act, are consistent with initiatives taken by like-minded states, including the United States and the European Union.

Canadian Measures:

1. A travel ban:

Canada will ensure that persons associated with the Syrian government who are believed to be inadmissible to Canada are prevented from travelling to Canada.

2. An asset freeze:

Canada will impose an asset freeze against people associated with the current Syrian regime and entities involved in security and military operations against the Syrian people.

3. A ban on specific exports and imports

Canada will place a ban under the Export and Import Permits Act on the export from Canada to Syria of goods and technology that are subject to export controls.

This includes arms, munitions, military, nuclear, and strategic items that are intended for use by the armed forces, police or other governmental agencies of Syria; and

4. A suspension of all bilateral cooperation agreements and initiatives with Syria.

The measures announced are consistent with Canada's foreign policy priority to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PM announces sanctions on Syria

May 24, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that targeted sanctions would be imposed against members of the current Syrian regime. This action is in response to the on-going and violent crackdown by the military and security forces against Syrian civilians who are peacefully protesting for democracy and the respect of human rights.

"Canada is gravely concerned at the excessive use of force by the Syrian regime against its own people, which has reportedly resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and the detention of thousands more," said Prime Minister Harper. "The sanctions being announced today are a repudiation of Syria's blatant violation of its international human rights obligations that threaten the security of the entire Middle East."

Canada is also concerned about the humanitarian situation in cities and towns that remain under military lockdown, and by reports that hundreds of Syrians are fleeing the country.

Our Government will be implementing the following sanctions against Syria which are aimed at pushing for democratic reform:

• A travel ban to Canada imposed on designated people associated with the current Syrian regime;
  
• An asset freeze against people associated with the current Syrian regime and entities involved in security and military operations against the Syrian people;
  
• A ban under the Export and Import Permits Act on the export from Canada to Syria of goods and technology that are subject to export controls; and,
  
• A suspension of all bilateral cooperation agreements and initiatives with Syria.

The measures announced today directly target members of the current Syrian regime and individuals and entities involved in the crackdown. They are not intended to cause harm to the Syrian people.

Canada stands with the Syrian people's call for democratic reform and calls on the current regime to immediately cease the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.

"The best way to ensure peace and stability in Syria is through democratic reform and respect for human rights, not violent repression," Prime Minister Harper added.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Launch of MissingKids.ca

May 24, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Launched by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection on May 24, 2011, MissingKids.ca is a new website dedicated to providing vital information and assistance to parents of missing children. It is also a resource for law enforcement agencies across Canada that work tirelessly to reunite missing children with their families.

Every year, more than 50,000 children are reported missing in Canada. The MissingKids.ca website will act as a portal where communities and law enforcement can immediately access and/or share information on missing or abducted children, including Amber Alerts.

MissingKids.ca has four primary functions:

• To assist in the location of missing children;
  
• To provide educational materials to help prevent children from going missing;
  
• To be an information resource centre on missing children; and
  
• To coordinate efforts and assist stakeholders in the delivery of missing children services.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children. Its goal is to reduce child victimization by providing programs and services to the Canadian public.

Our Government has made tackling crime one of its highest priorities. Since 2006, our Government has passed a number of important measures to protect Canadian children, and to hold criminals accountable, including:

• Raising the age of consent to 16 years, to better protect 14- and 15-year olds from sexual predators;
  
• Strengthening the National Sex Offender Registry and the National DNA Data Bank, to better protect our children and our communities from sexual predators;
  
• Strengthening measures to protect children from online sexual exploitation; and
  
• Limiting the granting of pardons, to better reflect the severity of the crimes committed, especially sexual offences against children.

MissingKids.ca is being launched one day prior to National Missing Children's Day – a day to commemorate missing children who have been found, remember those who have been victims of crime and continue efforts to find those who are still missing.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PM welcomes the launch of new website to protect Canadian children

May 24, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today welcomed the launch of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection's new website: MissingKids.ca, which will contribute to reducing the number of children who go missing in Canada every year.

"Each year, more than 50,000 children are reported missing in Canada," said Prime Minister Harper. "Our Government is taking decisive action and working closely with groups such as the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to safeguard the most vulnerable and innocent members of our society – our children. This website constitutes an important step towards keeping Canadian children safe."

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection – a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children – developed MissingKids.ca. The website provides a vital link and information portal for parents, particularly of missing children, and an in-depth resource for law enforcement agencies across Canada. It is designed to:

• Assist in the location of missing children;
  
• Provide educational materials to help prevent children from going missing;
  
• Be an information resource centre on missing children; and
  
• Coordinate efforts and assist stakeholders in the delivery of missing children services.

"Since 2006, our Government has taken serious action to get tough on crime. We will continue to support innocent victims and help make our streets and communities a safer place to live," concluded Prime Minister Harper.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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