December 7, 1998 (10:40 a.m. EST) No. 287

KATHLEEN MAHONEY TO CHAIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

AND DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced the appointment of Kathleen E. Mahoney as Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (ICHRDD).

Ms. Mahoney is a Professor of Law at the University of Calgary and a member of numerous boards and professional and learned societies. She has received various awards and distinctions for her scholarly contributions on the subjects of human rights, pornography and hate literature. Ms. Mahoney has been dedicated to raising awareness both in Canada and globally to biases in law. She is currently part of the Canada-China Human Rights Research Project of the University of Ottawa's Human Rights Centre and a consultant to the Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Western Australia, on race and gender education programs for judges.

The ICHRDD is an independent body established by an Act of Parliament in 1988. It provides persons and organizations in other countries with training, advice and research services to promote the observance of human rights and the full participation of all citizens in the democratic process. The Centre's Board of Directors is made up of 13 members, including three from countries other than Canada.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca