Long list of concerns about Canada's performance raised with particular attention to living conditions of Canada's Aboriginal Peoples, the use of Tasers, and the refusal to ratify outstanding human rights agreements.
Geneva (6 Feb. 2009) - At its first examination under the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review, the UN body raised concerns about Canada's performance on a number of human rights issues.
In particular, Canada was urged to do more to improve the welfare of Aboriginal Peoples, review its policies on police use of Taser weapons, the security certificate process and ratify outstanding human rights conventions.
The National Union of Public and General Employees, along with 49 other non-governmental organizations in Canada, made a submission to the periodic review about Canada's failure to ratify a number of UN Conventions. The union also supported a number of the other submissions.
Canada offers weak excuses
John Sims, Canada's deputy justice minister, told the 47-member state forum "no country, including Canada, has a perfect human rights record."
"It is important that every country open their human rights records to scrutiny, both domestically and internationally."
When questioned over it's anti-terrorism laws, in particular the security certificate process, the Canadian delegation claimed that everything was being done to balance detainee rights and security interests. They cited the controversial special advocate program as a step forward.
Sims said that the program of "special advocates will be challenged and will work its way through the Canadian court system. It will, in this way, be tested for how well the government has struck this important balance."
Facing criticism for not ratifying the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Sims replied that Canada felt that "it was too vague on some issues."
"We are aware that Canada's position has generated a number of adverse reactions. I wish to stress, however, that Canada remains committed to fulfilling its human rights commitments to Aboriginal Peoples in Canada," he said.
50 submissions criticizing Canada's Human Rights performance
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) was one of the 50 civil society organizations submitting briefs to the the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in preparation for the February review.
NUPGE concentrated on the serious erosion of labour rights in Canada over the past 27 years as well as Canada’s poor record of ratifying and complying with International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions.
Speaking prior to the release of the committee's report, Alex Neve, secretary-general of Amnesty International Canada, said that "to be criticized doesn't mean Canada has joined the worst of the worst (abusing nations)," said Neve.
"But as a general rule, Canadians are proud this is a country that believes in human rights and do want our governments (federal, provincial and territorial) to do the right thing."
"The Canadian record of upholding the rights of indigenous peoples is a real disgrace and a source of national shame," said Neve. "These are not political, economic or natural resource matters. These are issues of human rights."
In its submission, the Assembly of First Nations criticizes Ottawa for refusing to endorse the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as other problems.
"Canada's position blatantly rejects and undermines the international and domestic rights processes," it says, noting the indigenous population of Canada is "drastically over-represented in incarceration rates, disabilities, poor health indices, suicide and poverty."
While only member states can ask questions or make recommendations during the Feb. 3 hearing, written submissions are taken into consideration for the final report.
UN panel urges action
While a long list of concerns about Canada's performance were raised the U.N. panel paid particular attention to need for more action to improve the health and welfare of Canada's Aboriginal Peoples, concerns about the use of Tasers, and the refusal to ratify outstanding human rights agreements.
Canada currently sits on the 47-member council, a slot filled by rotation.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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