National

Tima Kurdi Says Sentencing Of Syrian Smugglers Irrelevant, Won't Stop Conflict

The Canadian Press, 04 Mar, 2016 12:01 PM

PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. — Tima Kurdi takes little comfort from news that the human smugglers convicted in the death of her family were sentenced today in Turkey to terms in prison.

Kurdi says the problem plaguing Syrian migrants is far greater than two people and that political action at the global level is the only thing that will stop the war in Syria, which has displaced millions.

A photo of Kurdi's three-year-old nephew, Alan Kurdi, lying dead on a Turkish beach put a human face to the suffering in the region and shone a spotlight on the crisis in the Middle East.

The two men sentenced today in a Turkish court were convicted of human trafficking but found not guilty of causing the drowning deaths through negligence.

They both blamed Alan's father, Abdullah Kurdi, for allegedly organizing the trip, an accusation his sister vehemently denies.

Alan's brother and mother were among the five people who died in last year's ill-fated Mediterranean crossing.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Ontrio Police Denounce Trophy Hunting After Headless Deer Carcasses Found

Police say a resident found the carcasses — which were missing their heads and fur — around noon Monday in North Dumfries, near Cambridge.

Ontrio Police Denounce Trophy Hunting After Headless Deer Carcasses Found

Shaida Bandali, Former Rouge Valley Hospital Clerk Fined $36,000 For Selling Patient Information

Former hospital clerk Shaida Bandali has been sentenced to two years' probation, 300 hours of community service and $45,000 in penalties for handing over the personal information of new mothers to investment dealers

Shaida Bandali, Former Rouge Valley Hospital Clerk Fined $36,000 For Selling Patient Information

Wounded Oct. 22 Officer Tells His Story As 20 Honoured For Bravery

Const. Samearn Son was one of 20 parliamentary security officers and Mounties honoured Monday at RCMP headquarters for their bravery on Oct. 22 of last year.

Wounded Oct. 22 Officer Tells His Story As 20 Honoured For Bravery

Apparent Provincial Climate Unity Gives Trudeau Tailwind En Route To Paris

A meeting of Canada's first ministers Monday in Ottawa — the first in almost seven years — ended with 11 provinces and territories humming from the same environmental hymn book as Trudeau's newly elected Liberals.

Apparent Provincial Climate Unity Gives Trudeau Tailwind En Route To Paris

Syrian Refugee Plan Milestone For One Man, New Beginning For Thousands Of Others

Almost exactly three years ago, Faisal Alazem appeared before a House of Commons committee and urged Canada to do more to help the millions of Syrians caught up in that country's brutal civil war.