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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">February 17, 2005 <i>(3:10 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 33</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">MINISTER PETTIGREW EXPRESSES CONCERN<br>
OVER SITUATION IN NEPAL</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement regarding
the political and human rights situation in Nepal:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada is very concerned about recent developments in Nepal, including the dismissal
of the government and the assumption of executive power by the King of Nepal. We are
deeply troubled by the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Nepal,
and by the impact the armed conflict is having on civilian populations.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“The Government of Nepal has the responsibility to respect its international human
rights obligations. We urge the Government of Nepal to end arbitrary arrests and
restore freedom of the media and freedom of expression. We also call on the Nepalese
government to take steps to protect political leaders, human rights defenders and
others committed to promoting and protecting the rights of Nepalese citizens. The work
of these individuals and organizations is crucial to Nepal’s efforts to establish
democracy.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada strongly supports Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and
urges the Government of Nepal and the insurgents to sign the Human Rights Accord,
which would allow the NHRC full access to carry out its mandate. We further urge the
Nepalese government to ensure the prompt implementation of its agreement to work
with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“We recall the responsibility of all parties to the conflict to respect international
humanitarian law and to ensure the protection of civilians. We also call on all parties to
facilitate the access of humanitarian organizations to those in need of assistance.
Canada encourages efforts by all parties toward a peaceful resolution to the ongoing
conflict.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220184230/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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