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<title>CANADA TO APPEAR BEFORE UN COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>September 16, 2003 <em>(6:25 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 137</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA TO APPEAR BEFORE UN COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD</strong></font></p>
<p>The Government of Canada will present its second report to the United Nations on the implementation of the Convention
on the Rights of the Child (CRC), on September 17, 2003, in Geneva. The Canadian delegation, led by Senator Landon
Pearson, will appear before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to present the report and answer questions on
Canada's progress on children's rights under the Convention.</p>
<p>"Children are a priority for the Government of Canada. Through a wide range of investments, we continue to help ensure
that all children receive the best possible start in life," said Senator Pearson. "Canada welcomes the upcoming open
dialogue with the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It is a process that yields constructive results and helps us further
improve our efforts."</p>
<p>"By opening our doors to UN monitoring, we are showing our commitment to implementing our international human rights
obligations and setting an example that we encourage other states to follow," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham.</p>
<p>Countries that have ratified the CRC are required to bring their legislation into line with its provisions, except where the
domestic standards are already higher. In this way, child rights standards are no longer merely an aspiration but are binding
on states. Ratification also makes states publicly and internationally accountable for their actions through the process by
which states report on the Convention's implementation. Canada ratified the CRC in December 1991.</p>
<p>The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child reviews CRC reports to assess the degree to which a country has
implemented the Convention in its legislation, policies and programs. The Committee subsequently publishes the results of
its review.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Isabelle Savard</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</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/20071205224907/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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