NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES INDONESIA-CANADAHUMAN RIGHTS COLLOQUIUM
October 28, 1997 No. 172
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES INDONESIA-CANADA
HUMAN RIGHTS COLLOQUIUM
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada and Indonesia
will hold a bilateral human rights colloquium in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 29 to
30. This meeting, entitled, "Indonesia-Canada Human Rights Colloquium:
Perspectives and Approaches," is the first event to be held as part of the
Bilateral Consultative Forum established last July by Minister Axworthy and
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Alatas.
"When I visited Indonesia in July, I raised a range of human rights issues with
Foreign Minister Alatas," said Mr. Axworthy. "I also met with non-governmental
organizations and human rights activists. As a result of my conversations, I
believe Canada and Indonesia share the common ground to engage on issues of
importance to both countries. This colloquium is an important step in the
promotion of human rights and the building of good governance and democratic
institutions. I wish the participants a successful meeting, and look forward to
hearing of the results."
Canada and Indonesia consider the Colloquium to be an important means to broaden
relations and enhance mutual confidence and understanding. The agenda for the
Colloquium will include discussion on the international human rights framework;
national approaches to human rights implementation; international technical co-operation; and planning for a future agenda.
Delegations will include officials from the Canadian and Indonesian Ministries of
Foreign Affairs (MFA) and other relevant government departments and institutions,
including officials from the Canadian International Development Agency, which is
also providing financial support for the Colloquium. Other delegates will include
representatives of the Indonesian and Canadian National Human Rights Commissions,
as well as representatives from the academic, non-governmental, media and business
communities in both countries.
In addition, officials responsible for human rights from MFAs in various
Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries have been invited to participate
as observers, along with selected representatives from the diplomatic corps in
Jakarta.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
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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