House Adopts Unanimous Motion Proposed by Liberal MP Irwin Cotler for Moment of Silence in Memory of the 11 Murdered Athletes and Coaches at the 1972 Olympics in Munich
 
Canadian Parliament becomes first in world to call for moment of remembrance
 
OTTAWA -June 14, 2012- Liberal Justice and Human Rights critic Irwin Cotler made the following statement today on the House of Commons' unanimous passage of his motion calling for a moment of silence at the 2012 London Olympics:
 
"This summer's Olympic Games in London will mark the 40th anniversary of the worst terrorist atrocity in the history of the Games - the 1972 hostage murder of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches in Munich. 
 
Civil society groups and political leaders around the world have been calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to hold a moment of silence at the opening ceremony of the London Games. I am delighted that the Canadian Parliament is the first to unanimously support this call. 
 
The adoption of this motion is part of our responsibility to remember the victims of this terrorist assault 40 years ago - le devoir de mémoir  (the duty of memory). I am pleased that all parties have worked together in common cause and hope the IOC will accede to our request."