NEWS RELEASES

April 7, 2000 ( 9:30 a.m. EDT) No. 66

AXWORTHY TO ATTEND UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that he will be in Geneva, April 12 and 13, to attend the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). Minister Axworthy will address the Commission on April 13.

"Respect for human rights and freedoms is fundamental to human security," said Mr. Axworthy. "The Commission plays an important role in examining serious and widespread human rights violations and in furthering international human rights standards. As such, it is an important vehicle for Canada in promoting human rights -- in particular for those most vulnerable, such as women, children and Indigenous people."

This year, Canada is sponsoring a resolution on human rights in Sierra Leone. The resolution condemns the atrocities committed during the civil conflict and seeks international support for reconciliation. Minister Axworthy will visit Sierra Leone later this month as part of Canada's effort to encourage peace and stability in that country.

Canada is also taking the lead on resolutions regarding the rights of Indigenous people; the elimination of violence against women; freedom of expression; human rights and mass exodus; the effective functioning of international human rights treaty-monitoring bodies; and measures to combat impunity.

Mr. Axworthy's address to the UNCHR will focus on Canada's international human rights priorities and the importance that Canada places on human rights as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. He will highlight the rights of women, children and Indigenous people.

Minister Axworthy will also release the 1999 edition of For The Record: The United Nations Human Rights System. This report is produced by Human Rights Internet, a Canadian non-governmental organization, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. This is the third annual edition of the publication, which guides the user through UN human rights documentation and human rights activities undertaken by the UN, conveniently arranged by country and theme.

The 56th session of the UNCHR is being held in Geneva from March 20 to April 28. As the main human rights political and policy-making forum of the United Nations, the Commission has an extensive mandate to examine an array of human rights issues. This year, the 53 member states will scrutinize human rights conditions in a number of countries around the world and will consider issues such as abolition of the death penalty, protection of human rights defenders, religious intolerance and racism. The Commission will also adopt two important new instruments aimed at protecting children: an optional protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, as well as one on the sale of children. Canada actively participated in the negotiation of these new standards.

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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