SCM speaks out on proroguing, raises concerns on torture and democracy
The Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM) is speaking out in advance of anti-proroguing rallies planned all over the country Saturday.
Quoting a Biblical proverb, the Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM) has thrown its weight behind a growing non-partisan movement outraged at the Prime Minister’s decision to prorogue parliament under a month ago.
“The just uphold the rights of the oppressed, but the corrupt care only for themselves” (Proverbs 29:7)
Read the Solidarity Statement on Democracy, Torture and the Parliament of Canada
“We’ve made this statement because proroguing Parliament has stalled the investigation into the Afghan detainee issue,” said Lana Wilson, SCM communications coordinator, who will be carrying the SCM banner in Saskatoon this weekend. “We feel it’s a justice issue. It’s difficult for a democratic government to function when it’s not in session. Otherwise, how is it a democracy?
“We hope to see more solidarity statements like this one, and people going to anti-proroguing rallies. We really hope the Canadian government can hear – and listen to – the voices of Canadians,” she added.
This is not the first time the SCM has spoken on matters of governance. In a 2008 pastoral letter the group lamented: “At times, this system does not deserve the description ‘democratic’ nor does it hear the voices of the marginalized… Our faith calls us to hope, by renewing our commitment towards radical change.”
In Ottawa, SCM member Jesse Root is one of two co-coordinators of the national protest this Saturday on Parliament Hill. He emphasized the non-partisan nature of the anti-prorogue movement, citing the political diversity of volunteers and the refusal to receive funding from any political party.
“The goal ultimately is to get members of Parliament back to work,” Root said. “But realizing that might not in fact happen, we at least hope people will be more politically aware so these types of abuse of power won’t happen in the future, and for people to exercise their role in a democracy to hold the people in power accountable.
“It’s important for Christians and faith groups to get in on this because some of the things that have been dropped because Parliament has stopped working have been issues that concern us as people of faith, especially the Afghan detainee issue, torture, and abuse of fundamental human rights.”
The Student Christian Movement of Canada has local units in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and St. John’s, and is a student-led ecumenical justice movement passionate about justice, community and faith. Founded in 1921, SCM has long been at the forefront of social justice and democracy, and is linked to more than 100 national SCM’s around the world through the World Student Christian Federation.
Read the Solidarity Statement on Democracy, Torture and the Parliament of Canada
