NEWS RELEASES
CHRISTINE STEWART TO ADDRESSUN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
March 17, 1997 No. 51
CHRISTINE STEWART TO ADDRESS
UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced today that Secretary of State
(Latin America and Africa) Christine Stewart will address the 53rd session of the
United Nations Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Geneva on March 19, 1997.
"A commitment to human rights is fundamental to Canadian values and identity and
forms a crucial element of government policy, both internationally and
domestically. The Commission's work, over the past 50 years, has moulded our
shared values into internationally recognized human rights standards of civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights," said Mr. Axworthy.
"We attach great importance to the Commission and to its central role in promoting
human rights within the greater United Nations system. Canada believes that the
broadest possible realization of democracy and protection of human rights is key
to achieving other basic international security and development goals," added Mrs.
Stewart.
As the main United Nations human rights body, the Commission, which this year
meets from March 10 to April 18, has an extensive mandate that allows it to
examine the whole spectrum of human rights issues. This year, the 53 States
Members of the Commission will scrutinize human rights conditions in over 15
States and territories, and will consider a number of thematic issues. The 53rd
session of the Commission will also be an opportunity for member countries,
including Canada, to advance preparations for the celebration, in 1998, of the
50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In the CHR, Canada leads on resolutions on the human rights of women, freedom of
opinion and expression, human rights treaty bodies, as well as human rights and
mass exoduses.
While in Geneva, Mrs. Stewart will meet UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
Mrs. Sadako Ogata, and the President of the International Committee of the Red
Cross, Mr. Cornelio Sommaruga. She will also have bilateral meetings with
ministers of other governments and will meet representatives of Canadian non-governmental organizations.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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