NEWS RELEASES

April 7, 2000 (3:20 p.m. EDT) No. 68

UN SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON AFGHANISTAN'S HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International Co-operation Maria Minna, today announced a $300 000 contribution to the UN Office for the Coordination of Assistance to Afghanistan (UNOCHA). The announcement was made in conjunction with an open meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Afghanistan, chaired by Mr. Axworthy. As president of the Council this month, Canada proposed the meeting on Afghanistan to address the humanitarian and human rights crisis in that country.

The $300 000 contribution from the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Peacebuilding Fund will support the activities of local and international non-governmental organizations involved in human rights training and programming. Women and girls are the target beneficiaries of many of the activities of the OCHA Human Rights Trust Fund.

"For over twenty years now, Afghanistan has been racked by continuous civil wars between a constantly shifting cast of combatants, none of whom have achieved legitimacy in the eyes of the world or the Afghan people," said Mr. Axworthy. "The Council has a responsibility to help put a stop to the suffering in Afghanistan by remaining steadfast in its demand for an immediate end to hostilities and the beginning of honest negotiations, reflective of the true aspirations of the Afghan people."

"The situation in Afghanistan has been extremely difficult, especially for women and girls, who are denied access to education and basic health care," said Minister Minna. "CIDA's contribution will help local organizations give a voice to women and help them to protect their rights."

A presidential statement was also adopted by the Security Council, which highlights the humanitarian and human rights situation and the plight of women. The statement reiterates the Council's concerns with the continued Afghan conflict as a growing threat to regional and international peace and security. Grave concern is also noted about the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as a result of the ongoing hostilities.

At Canada's suggestion, the statement urges all Afghan parties to ensure full and unhindered access to international humanitarian assistance for all those in need, in particular women and girls. The statement also calls for the resumption of negotiations towards a political settlement aimed at the establishment of a broad-based, multi-ethnic and fully representative government.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2000 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

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For further information, media representatives may contact :

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Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

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(819) 953-3160

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(819) 953-6534

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Web site: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca (electronic version of this document)

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