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<title>GRAHAM - UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, GENEVA</title>
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<p><strong>March 18, 2002 No. 40</strong></p>
<p>Media representatives are advised that Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will lead Canada's delegation to the 58th
session of the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 18 to 20, 2002. On
March 19 Mr. Graham will deliver an address to the UNCHR. Later the same day, he will participate in a teleconference to
debrief Canada-based journalists on his visit.</p>
<p>The United Nations Commission on Human Rights, composed of 53 states, holds an annual six-week session in Geneva to
examine human rights situations globally and in specific countries, with a view to developing effective strategies to further
the promotion and protection of human rights. Over 3,000 delegates from member and observer states and from
non-governmental organizations participate. The 58th session of the UNCHR, which will take place from March 18 to
April 26, 2002, will consider over 80 resolutions.</p>
<p>In Geneva, Mr. Graham will also meet with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, President of the
International Committee of the Red Cross, Jakob Kellenberger, and President of the Conference on Disarmament,
Ambassador Markku Reimaa of Finland. </p>
<p>The Minister will deliver a statement to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on March 19. The Conference was
established in 1979 as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community. It is a key
institution for the pursuit of non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament, with both conventional weapons and
weapons of mass destruction included in its terms of reference. </p>
<p><strong>Media events are scheduled as follows:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Minister Graham's statement to the Conference on Disarmament (open to media accredited to the UN in Geneva)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date:</strong> Tuesday, March 19, 2002</p>
<p><strong>Time: </strong> 10:15 a.m.<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> Palais des Nations </p>
<p>Salle du Conseil</p>
<p><strong>Minister Graham's statement to the UNCHR</strong> <strong>(open to media accredited to the UN in Geneva)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date:</strong> Tuesday, March 19, 2002</p>
<p><strong>Time: </strong> 4:30 p.m.</p>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> Palais des Nations </p>
<p>Room XVII</p>
<p><strong>Minister Graham's teleconference from Geneva</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date:</strong> Tuesday, March 19, 2002</p>
<p><strong>Time: </strong>12:30 p.m. (Ottawa time)<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>By telephone:</strong> Please call the Media Relations Office to obtain an access code and the toll-free number.</p>
<p>For more information, please contact:</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221125447/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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