Canada has an important role in ensuring safe global air travel
After the vote supporting Palestinian self-determination at the UN General Assembly, another international decision is approaching for Ottawa. This week, the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is scheduled to elect a new council president.
Air travel is growing exponentially, carrying more than 3.5 billion passengers and 51 million tons of freight annually. With the growing threat of terrorism, the need for safe and reliable air travel is a key component of modernday living and cannot be overemphasized. The ICAO is responsible for carrying out the directives set by the Convention of International Civil Aviation.
A number of countries are vying for the top slot at the ICAO. With the Middle East among the fastest-growing regions in the world for passenger and cargo traffic, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been seeking the ICAO leadership role.
The UAE’s permanent representative at ICAO, Aysha Al Hameli, has been endeavouring to lead the international aviation body for some time now. She ran for the position in 2016, but could not muster the required support. She is back in the arena. The UAE government has been pursuing her candidacy at diplomatic levels.
However, the UAE’s desire to head the body is controversial. The UAE has openly violated the ICAO constitution in more than one way. Its dismal record speaks for itself. UAE-registered civil aircraft and airports are known to have been used in global weapons trafficking. Dubai’s airport has become a money laundering and human trafficking hub.
Just last week, the U.K.’s National Crime Agency arrested 10 suspected members of an organized crime group for flying an estimated $26 million CAN out of the U.K. to the UAE.
It has also violated the UN arms embargo on Libya. Again, this November, a UN Security Council group of experts found the UAE to be involved in airstrikes killing 50 civilians at a Libyan migrant detention centre, representing one of the worst single atrocities of the Libyan civil war and a potential war crime.
The UAE is equally culpable, alongside Saudi Arabia, for waging the disastrous war in Yemen that has killed over 100,000 people, and displaced over 3 million. The UAE has taken a lead role in the Qatar blockade by its Gulf Arab neighbours, prohibiting Qatar Airways from using neighbouring airspace, in violation of international conventions.
Countries violating ICAO’s charter, under the 1944 Chicago Convention, should not get elected. As the host, Canada has a significant role in ensuring the organization is run as per its mandate.
Before voting, Ottawa needs to look at its options closely. Voting for the UAE candidate in the ICAO elections would indicate condoning its wrongdoings.