Canada's rights record blasted during UN review
Submissions to Geneva council include issues such as treatment of indigenous peoples, immigration
Linda Diebel
NATIONAL AFFAIRS WRITER
Canada could soon find itself "named and shamed" as a country that violates human rights in a United Nations review.
Close to 50 submissions blasting Canada – on everything from the state of indigenous peoples to problems with immigration policy – have been filed with the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council as part of a new review process for UN nations.
"To be criticized doesn't mean Canada has joined the worst of the worst (abusing nations)," said Alex Neve, secretary-general of Amnesty International Canada, of Canada's review that begins Feb. 3. "But as a general rule, Canadians are proud this is a country that believes in human rights and do want our governments (federal, provincial and territorial) to do the right thing."
The Amnesty submission highlights several concerns. In a section on indigenous rights, it notes more children are in the care of the state now than during the century-plus period when they were forcibly removed from communities and sent to Indian residential schools.
"The Canadian record of upholding the rights of indigenous peoples is a real disgrace and a source of national shame," said Neve. "These are not political, economic or natural resource matters. These are issues of human rights."
He said Amnesty International expects Canada to be cited for falling short on human rights issues in a number of areas when the UN rights arm publishes its final report.
While only member states can ask questions or make recommendations during the Feb. 3 hearing, written submissions are taken into consideration for the report.
Canada currently sits on the 47-member council, a slot filled by rotation.
In its submission, the Assembly of First Nations criticizes Ottawa for refusing to endorse the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as other problems.
"Canada's position blatantly rejects and undermines the international and domestic rights processes," it says, noting the indigenous population of Canada is "drastically over-represented in incarceration rates, disabilities, poor health indices, suicide and poverty."
The brief cites last year's apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on behalf of Canadians for Indian residential schools, which were aimed at assimilation. Churches ran the schools for about 150 years, an issue addressed by a class-action settlement, the creation of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the public apology.
But the submission suggests no progress has been made.
Grand Chief Ed John, from the First Nations Summit in B.C., said Canada has "a duty to uphold human rights at the highest level."
"The government is opposed to the declaration (on aboriginal rights) for purely ideological reasons," said John.
John criticized the federal government's labelling as consultations its meetings with non-governmental organizations – including with his group and others in B.C. last Friday – when the federal submission to the UN is dated Jan. 5.
"It was after the fact," said John.
The federal government lauds Canada's rights record in its lengthy brief, citing everything from the court system and universal health care to education.
Paul Joffe, an international human rights lawyer, said the power of the review comes with publicity or its "name and shame" aspect.
"What country wants to be put in a report as being against human rights?" asked Joffe. "This process is meant to encourage countries to improve their behaviour and uplift standards."
This new process means countries will be judged for the first time by their peers, rather than by UN agencies.
All 198 UN members are reviewed every four years.
"Canadians should be concerned because the government signs international agreements and doesn't abide by them," said John Lewis, human rights co-ordinator for the Toronto-based group, KAIROS.
"In particular, we've begun to fall down on economic, social and cultural rights. That is worrisome at any time, but particularly so during an economic downturn."
In its brief, KAIROS, an organization with ecumenical support, says a majority of migrant workers in Canada report they "continue to face unacceptable living and working conditions" and that "workplace safety standards are not properly monitored and enforced."
__________________________________________________________
© Copyright Toronto Star 1996-2009
Native Rights News is making this material from the Toronto Star available in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine codified at Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107: This article is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information. Distribution of this material is for research and educational purposes that will promote social and economic justice and benefit society.
--
Posted By Alliance for Indigenous Rights to Native Rights News at 1/14/2009 07:30:00 AM
Submissions to Geneva council include issues such as treatment of indigenous peoples, immigration
Linda Diebel
NATIONAL AFFAIRS WRITER
Canada could soon find itself "named and shamed" as a country that violates human rights in a United Nations review.
Close to 50 submissions blasting Canada – on everything from the state of indigenous peoples to problems with immigration policy – have been filed with the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council as part of a new review process for UN nations.
"To be criticized doesn't mean Canada has joined the worst of the worst (abusing nations)," said Alex Neve, secretary-general of Amnesty International Canada, of Canada's review that begins Feb. 3. "But as a general rule, Canadians are proud this is a country that believes in human rights and do want our governments (federal, provincial and territorial) to do the right thing."
The Amnesty submission highlights several concerns. In a section on indigenous rights, it notes more children are in the care of the state now than during the century-plus period when they were forcibly removed from communities and sent to Indian residential schools.
"The Canadian record of upholding the rights of indigenous peoples is a real disgrace and a source of national shame," said Neve. "These are not political, economic or natural resource matters. These are issues of human rights."
He said Amnesty International expects Canada to be cited for falling short on human rights issues in a number of areas when the UN rights arm publishes its final report.
While only member states can ask questions or make recommendations during the Feb. 3 hearing, written submissions are taken into consideration for the report.
Canada currently sits on the 47-member council, a slot filled by rotation.
In its submission, the Assembly of First Nations criticizes Ottawa for refusing to endorse the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as other problems.
"Canada's position blatantly rejects and undermines the international and domestic rights processes," it says, noting the indigenous population of Canada is "drastically over-represented in incarceration rates, disabilities, poor health indices, suicide and poverty."
The brief cites last year's apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on behalf of Canadians for Indian residential schools, which were aimed at assimilation. Churches ran the schools for about 150 years, an issue addressed by a class-action settlement, the creation of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the public apology.
But the submission suggests no progress has been made.
Grand Chief Ed John, from the First Nations Summit in B.C., said Canada has "a duty to uphold human rights at the highest level."
"The government is opposed to the declaration (on aboriginal rights) for purely ideological reasons," said John.
John criticized the federal government's labelling as consultations its meetings with non-governmental organizations – including with his group and others in B.C. last Friday – when the federal submission to the UN is dated Jan. 5.
"It was after the fact," said John.
The federal government lauds Canada's rights record in its lengthy brief, citing everything from the court system and universal health care to education.
Paul Joffe, an international human rights lawyer, said the power of the review comes with publicity or its "name and shame" aspect.
"What country wants to be put in a report as being against human rights?" asked Joffe. "This process is meant to encourage countries to improve their behaviour and uplift standards."
This new process means countries will be judged for the first time by their peers, rather than by UN agencies.
All 198 UN members are reviewed every four years.
"Canadians should be concerned because the government signs international agreements and doesn't abide by them," said John Lewis, human rights co-ordinator for the Toronto-based group, KAIROS.
"In particular, we've begun to fall down on economic, social and cultural rights. That is worrisome at any time, but particularly so during an economic downturn."
In its brief, KAIROS, an organization with ecumenical support, says a majority of migrant workers in Canada report they "continue to face unacceptable living and working conditions" and that "workplace safety standards are not properly monitored and enforced."
__________________________________________________________
© Copyright Toronto Star 1996-2009
Native Rights News is making this material from the Toronto Star available in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine codified at Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107: This article is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information. Distribution of this material is for research and educational purposes that will promote social and economic justice and benefit society.
--
Posted By Alliance for Indigenous Rights to Native Rights News at 1/14/2009 07:30:00 AM
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