Canada Urged to Progress on Human Rights

OTTAWA--Canada’s peers in the United Nations Human Rights Council have justifiably expressed concern over Canada’s recent human rights record.  The 47-nation council reviewed each country’s records for the first time on a peer-to-peer basis. 

"It is clear”, said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, "that over the past couple of years the Conservative approach has been one of 'get tough on people' rather than 'on crime'.  The lack of interest in readdressing wrongs and protecting the most vulnerable is truly alarming.”

One of the recommendations of the council calls for Canada to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  The declaration passed in 2007, with only Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the United States opposing.  The Green Party has noted previously, with dismay, the fact that Canada, formerly a supporter of indigenous peoples’ rights, has failed to do so under the current government.

The report also highlighted concerns about taser use by Canada’s law enforcement agencies.   According to Amnesty International, 25 people have died after being tasered in Canada.   An enquiry into the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski notes that he was lying on the floor writhing in pain before he was finally killed after being tasered five times by the RCMP.   "Tasers are a form of torture and should be banned," said Joe Foster, Human Rights Critic for the Green Party.  

Canada was assailed by human rights and civil society organizations in Canada for abuses on several fronts, most critically for treatment of aboriginal peoples, in cases that have made headlines over the past couple of years.

“Aboriginal peoples in Canada have been increasingly compromised due to neglect and they will experience the worst impacts from this recession, yet the Government of Canada continues to ignore them and their rights,” said Lorraine Rekmans, Aboriginal Affairs Critic for the Green Party.  “Women, children and the elderly in Aboriginal communities are in an extremely vulnerable state and their needs must be addressed immediately.”

Mr. Foster remarked that the treatment of aboriginal peoples could only be described as shameful in a country that prides itself in fairness and equality.   “High suicide rates, missing or murdered women—these circumstances are unacceptable.”  Foster continued,  “The world is calling on Canada to do the right thing and sign onto the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  This government can’t hide from its responsibilities behind this economic downturn.  A just society will be judged by how it treats the most vulnerable.”

The question now is, will the current government seriously take action on about 70 recommendations from the Council, or shrug them off like climate change and the economy?

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
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Green Party of Canada
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