NEWS RELEASES
CANADA NOTES TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF TIANANMEN SQUARE
June 4, 1999 (1:15 p.m. EDT) No. 127
CANADA NOTES TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF
TIANANMEN SQUARE
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond
Chan today noted the tenth anniversary of the tragic violence of June 4, 1989, at
Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
"This solemn date reminds us all that the campaign for human rights is a long and arduous
one in many societies," said Mr. Axworthy. "Although we recognize China's efforts to
improve the human rights situation since 1989, we continue to have serious concerns."
"Imprisonment of individuals for their political views, some of whom have been in jail since
June 1989, is unacceptable,"said Mr. Chan. "The immediate release of dissidents
associated with the Tiananmen protests would be an important step by China in dealing
with the events of a decade ago."
Both Mr. Axworthy and Mr. Chan said that Canada's policy is to seek every opportunity to
work with China to improve human rights in that country. They noted that Canada
contributes to several projects, such as training senior judges, raising awareness of the
1992 China Women's Law, and the development of a national legal aid system, which aim
to improve the rule of law and to increase respect for individual rights within the Chinese
justice system.
This co-operation will continue at the second "Plurilateral Symposium" on human rights in
China, co-hosted by Canada, China and Norway, which will take place in China next month.
As well, an ecumenical delegation will travel to China later this year to discuss issues
related to religious freedom.
Both Minister Axworthy and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Chan reiterated Canada's
call for China to follow its welcome signature of the International Covenant on Political and
Civil Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights, with
the ratification and implementation of both instruments.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Naseem Nuraney
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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