NEWS RELEASES
October 19, 2005 (4:45 p.m. EDT)
No. 189
CANADA INCREASES SUPPORT FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Cooperation Minister Aileen
Carroll today announced that Canada, through the Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA), will provide an additional $3 million in ongoing support to the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
“Sixty years after the founding of the United Nations, the struggle for human rights
remains a major issue,” said Minister Pettigrew. “Canada is a staunch supporter of the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and this increase in our funding will
enable the OHCHR to implement its plan of action, demonstrating leadership that will
encourage other donors to meet commitments made at the 2005 World Summit.”
In December 2004, CIDA provided $5 million over three years in core funding to the
OHCHR, and in 2005, it increased support to OHCHR country field offices to strengthen
their human rights protection roles.
“Canada has a long-standing commitment to promoting and protecting human rights
through development,” said Minister Carroll. “This announcement effectively doubles
Canada’s 2005 voluntary support to the OHCHR in 2006.”
In June 2005, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour
released an ambitious plan of action to revitalize the OHCHR, which proposes
expanding the work program and doubling the overall budget over the next five years.
Canada is also committed to ensuring that the OHCHR is provided with more funding
from the UN’s regular budget, so that it can pursue its activities in numerous key areas
for human rights.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Andrew Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
(819) 953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
(819) 953-6534
info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
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