Liberals Call for a Moment of Silence in Memory of the 11 Murdered Athletes and Coaches at the 1972 Munich Games

OTTAWA– Liberal Justice and Human Rights critic Irwin Cotler is calling on all parties to adopt a Liberal motion in the House of Commons to request that a moment of silence be held at the 2012 Olympic Games in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

 

“As the world gathers together at the 2012 Olympics, let us pause to remember those whose lives were tragically taken by terrorism at the 1972 Munich Games,” said Professor Cotler. “For 40 years there has been no moment of silence, no official remembrance at the Olympic Games. I trust all parties will offer their support for this cause.”

 

An international coalition of civil society groups has called on the International Olympic Committee to hold a moment of silence at the Opening Ceremonies of this summer’s Games. We learned this week that in Australia, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, government and opposition MPs and two Premiers signed a letter addressed to the International Olympic Committee in this regard. Here in Canada, Liberals are calling on all parties to set a similar example.

 

Professor Cotler will be presenting this motion in the House of Commons at the earliest opportunity.