Statement by Minister Wilson-Raybould on Canada's appearance before the United Nations Human Rights Council
Universal Periodic Review assesses Canada's human rights record
OTTAWA, May 11, 2018 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, issued the following statement:
"Today, I had the honour of leading Canada's delegation for our third Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations in Geneva. Like all UN member states, we are assessed on our human rights record every 4.5 years. These reviews are vital to helping promote and protect human rights in all countries, including Canada, and result in important recommendations on how domestic efforts can be further strengthened.
Since our last review, a number of strategies and action plans ? among other legislative and administrative measures ? have been adopted, both nationally, provincially and territorially. They touch on various human rights issues, including gender-based violence, housing, youth employment, gender equality, and the rights of persons with disabilities.
We have also taken concrete steps to achieving true, meaningful and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Our government has endorsed, without qualification, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, while confirming that all relations with Indigenous peoples will be based on the recognition of Indigenous rights, and that a new Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights Framework will be developed.
We have greatly benefited from the views and perspectives of UN member states on how we can do better. Canada is committed to continuing to find ways to build on its human rights framework and we will give full consideration to the recommendations in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Our appearance today has given us an important opportunity to reflect on the measures taken by governments across Canada and has allowed us to contemplate the concrete steps required to make good on the promise of a just and equal Canada for current and future generations."
Quick Facts:
- The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States.
- The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.
- Canada was instrumental in the creation of the UPR process and continues to participate actively in it. Since its establishment in 2008, our country has participated in two UPRs, in 2009 and in 2013. This is the first UPR in which a minister has been head of Canada's delegation.
SOURCE Department of Justice Canada
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