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<title>CANADA WELCOMES CHINESE ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION TO SIGN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COVENANT</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">March 12, 1998 No. 54</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA WELCOMES CHINESE ANNOUNCEMENT </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">OF INTENTION TO SIGN INTERNATIONAL </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">HUMAN RIGHTS COVENANT</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the announcement by
China's Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen that China intends to sign
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I am particularly pleased that this announcement comes just days after Canada
and China jointly hosted a multilateral human rights meeting," said Mr. Axworthy.
"It remains very important, however, that China sign the Covenant as soon as
possible, and follow through with a timely ratification."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"This is a welcome development that indicates an increased willingness on the
part of China to accept and respect universal human rights standards. The
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is one of the most
significant international human rights instruments," added Secretary of State
(Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada and China announced a bilateral human rights dialogue in April 1997 that
included the establishment of a Joint Committee on Human Rights. The Joint
Committee, which has met twice over the past year, provides a forum to address
all human rights issues, including political and civil rights, religious
freedoms, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as women's and children's
rights. Canada has also used these meetings to encourage China to accede to
international human rights treaties including the international covenants on
Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. China
signed the latter in October 1997, but has not yet ratified it.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Under the provisions of the bilateral dialogue, both countries co-hosted a human
rights symposium in British Columbia earlier this month with participants from
several Asia-Pacific and other countries.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Hilary Humphrey</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1852 </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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