Jan 2008 Stop the deployment of laserweapons to Afghanistan

Ceasefire.ca Action Item

The Harper government has bought new laser weapons to deploy in Afghanistan.

Send your letter to the Prime Minister.

These laser weapons, sometimes called laser dazzlers, are mounted on rifles, and are intended to temporarily blind, or dazzle people. General Rick Hillier says he wants soldiers to use them to keep Afghans away from military checkpoints and vehicles.

But the truth is, these weapons may be more dangerous than General Hillier thinks, and could inadvertently blind innocent civilians permanently! Thats why we need to be sure laser weapons are being passed through a rigorous, transparent testing mechanism.

I ask that you please join me in sending a letter to Stephen Harper, demanding that he take the following steps:
 
1) Place a moratorium on the deployment of laser weapons;

2) Undertake the development and implementation of a transparent review process for assessing whether new weapons violate international law;

and

3) Test any new weapons currently under consideration for purchase by Canada.

Thanks for taking action.