NEWS RELEASES

May 5, 2000 (3:00 p.m. EDT) No. 96

CANADA RE-ELECTED TO UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the re-election of Canada to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), for the 2001 to 2003 term. This re-election marks Canada's fifth consecutive term on the UNCHR.

The election took place on May 3 at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN in New York. Canada was one of four candidates (a fifth country had withdrawn its bid), for the three seats available for the Western European and Others Group. Canada was elected on the first ballot with 39 votes, with a total of 54 ECOSOC member countries eligible to vote. The other successful candidates were Belgium and the United Kingdom.

"The promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental and integral part of Canadian foreign and domestic policies, and continued membership on the UNCHR is a priority," said Minister Axworthy. "Over the years, Canada has been a key participant in the evolution of human rights principles and practices. Our re-election will allow us to continue to play a prominent role in the advancement and management of international human rights issues."

During its last term on the Commission, Canada led on more resolutions than any other single delegation; actively participated in negotiating almost all resolutions adopted; and was the principal sponsor of a number of key thematic resolutions, including those on mass exoduses, impunity, indigenous rights, freedom of expression and effective functioning of treaty bodies.

This year Canada was successful in having six resolutions adopted by consensus with broad support from countries in all regions. In addition, a third mandate for the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, which was created in 1994 at Canada's initiative, was successfully renewed. At this year's Commission, Canada also initiated, in co-operation with the Government of Sierra Leone, a resolution calling for accountability of past violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation in that country, as well as continued support for the UNAMSIL task force. Canada also co-sponsored 58 other resolutions, including strong texts on Chechnya and Sudan.

The UNCHR is the UN body responsible for overseeing the full range of international human rights standards: civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the protection of minorities and the prevention of all forms of discrimination. The UNCHR also mandates independent experts to monitor and report on situations in specific countries that have been placed on its agenda.

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