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Rights & Democracy saddened by death of Foreign Affairs Canada official in Afghanistan

MONTREAL – Jan. 16, 2006 – Rights & Democracy is deeply saddened by the killing of Glyn Berry, director of Foreign Affairs Canada’s reconstruction efforts in Southern Afghanistan, in a car bomb attack in Kandahar yesterday.

Mr. Berry was exemplary of the many foreign nationals and Afghans alike dedicated to the process of bringing stability, peace and human rights to Afghanistan. His killing underscores the dangers inherent to this work, and the profound courage required to see it finished.

“Rights & Democracy extends its deepest sympathies to Mr. Berry ’s family and his colleagues at Foreign Affairs Canada,” said Jean-Louis Roy, President of Rights & Democracy. “The risks of working in Afghanistan remain acute, but such acts only highlight the need for us to remain vigilant in our efforts there to see the rule of law secured.”

Rights & Democracy has been involved in Afghanistan since 2002. Details on Rights & Democracy’s projects in Afghanistan can be found at www.wraf.ca.

Rights & Democracy is a non-partisan, independent Canadian institution created by an Act of Parliament in 1988 to promote, advocate and defend the democratic and human rights set out in the International Bill of Human Rights. In cooperation with civil society and governments in Canada and abroad, Rights & Democracy initiates and supports programmes to strengthen laws and democratic institutions, principally in developing countries.

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Please contact Steve Smith (ext 255) or Louis Moubarak (ext 261) at Rights & Democracy, 514-283-6073.