NEWS RELEASES
CANADA RATIFIES CONVENTION ON SAFETY OF UN AND ASSOCIATED PERSONNEL
April 5, 2002 (10:45 a.m. EST) No. 31
CANADA RATIFIES CONVENTION ON SAFETY OF UN AND ASSOCIATED PERSONNEL
Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham announced today that Canada has ratified the United Nations Convention on the
Safety of UN and Associated Personnel. The Convention provides a legal framework giving countries jurisdiction to punish
those who attack or harm UN staff or those working with them. It specifies crimes such as murder, kidnapping and attacks
upon official premises and sets out appropriate penalties for these crimes.
"Regrettably, working under the UN flag is no longer a guarantee of protection," said Minister Graham. "Whether through
peacekeeping, humanitarian or other operations, UN and associated personnel carry out tasks that member states, including
Canada, have requested of them. They deserve to be protected. This ratification is a concrete demonstration of Canada's
commitment to enhance the security of these people."
Minister Graham also called on other governments who have not already done so, to ratify the Convention as a signal that
the international community will not tolerate these acts of violence against peacekeeping, humanitarian and other UN and
associated staff.
Attacks against peacekeepers, aid workers and other staff have increased dramatically over the last 10 years. Since 1994,
170 UN civilian personnel have been killed and 255 staff members have been taken hostage or kidnapped. Canada has been
a leading advocate for enhancing the safety of these individuals, providing political, diplomatic and financial resources
toward this end. Notably, Canada has worked to ensure that war crimes, such as intentional attacks against peacekeepers
and humanitarian workers, were included within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
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