24 September 2008
News Release
Amnesty International calls on all federal political parties to commit to human rights
Releasing a new report, Strengthening our Commitment: A Human Rights Agenda for Canada, in advance of the upcoming federal election Amnesty International stressed that Canada’s political leaders must increase their focus on human rights. A number of crucial national and international human rights challenges are of pressing concern.
“In recent years, Canada’s hard-won global human rights leadership has been eroded. Other countries have come to doubt Canada’s level of commitment to the global human rights system,” said Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada’s English branch. “At best, Canada’s efforts have been inconsistent. At worst, Canada has taken positions which set back the goal of universal human rights protection. Canada must emerge from this election with a renewed commitment to human rights.”
The need and the opportunity to strengthen Canada’s human rights commitment is particularly timely as the election comes only two months before the world marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. Canadian John Humphrey played a central role in drafting the Declaration and launching the international human rights system. Canada must restore that tradition of leadership.
The report points to human rights shortcomings in ten areas:
- Human rights and national security
- Human rights in Canadian foreign policy
- Canada on the world stage
- The rights of Indigenous peoples
- Women’s human rights
- Refugee protection
- The death penalty
- The use of tasers
- Business and human right
- Addressing poverty
Canada’s national security laws and practices often fall short of international human rights standards. Canada has, for instance, failed to take a strong stand against Guantánamo Bay.. Canadian Omar Khadr, who was detained by US forces when he was only 15 years-old, is now the only western national still held at Guantanamo. “It is time for the government to break the silence, speak out, and demand that Omar Khadr be repatriated to face justice in Canada”, said Beatrice Vaugrante, Director General of Amnesty International Canada’s francophone branch.
Despite two federal inquiries, concerns abound that Canadian officials operated a variation of the notorious practice of extraordinary rendition, such as in the case of Maher Arar. “It is two years since the Arar Inquiry reported,” said Alex Neve. “It is time for full implementation of that report, particularly of the recommendation for a new system of independent review of the national security activities of Canadian law enforcement and other agencies.”
There are also concerns about the way Canadian forces handle prisoners in Afghanistan. Prisoners are turned over to Afghan forces, despite the widespread use of torture in Afghan detention facilities. ”Prisoner transfers must halt immediately,” said Beatrice Vaugrante. “A new approach must be adopted that meets international human rights standards.”
Human Rights and Canadian Foreign Policy
Canada has joined other nations in trying to find an effective way to encourage China to improve its human rights record. In spite of the high profile global attention given to China’s human rights record leading up to the Beijing Olympics, serious violations continue. Canada must develop a comprehensive strategy to promote human rights in all aspects of its relationship with China.
Canada and Colombia have recently negotiated a free trade agreement. Many human rights violations in Colombia are related to mining projects, a sector in which many Canadian companies are active. Entering into a free trade deal with Colombia without adequate human rights safeguards would set back human rights protection and lead to further rights violations.
A number of Canadians are imprisoned abroad, in situations where they face a grave risk of human rights violations, including Huseyin Celil in China, Bashir Makhtal in Ethiopia, Mohamed el-Attar in Egypt, Mohamed and Sultan Kohail in Saudi Arabia, Ronald Smith on death row in the United States and Omar Khadr at Guantánamo Bay. Some have received considerable Canadian government support, while others have been virtually abandoned. The federal government should develop a system that ensures a consistent response to all cases of Canadians detained abroad.
Canada on the World Stage
Recent positions advanced by Canada at the UN on a variety of human rights issues have demonstrated a failure of leadership and even been obstructive. Concerns have mounted in a wide range of areas, including the rights of Indigenous peoples, the death penalty, economic, social and cultural rights, international justice and human rights violations in Israel and the Palestinian territory. ”With the impending 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is time for Canada to show bold human rights leadership to the world and a willingness to champion all human rights equally,” said Alex Neve.
The rights of Indigenous peoples
At the UN, Canada actively opposed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration was debated and discussed within the UN for over 20 years and finally passed with a huge majority in September 2007. Canada was one of only four countries that voted against the Declaration. Canadian officials argue that because Canada voted against the Declaration, it does not apply to Canada. “As a member of the UN, Canada should fully respect the UN vote and support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” said Beatrice Vaugrante.
Women’s human rights
Protecting Indigenous women from violence is a human rights issue of great concern in Canada. Indigenous women are five times more likely than other women in Canada to die from violence. Factors affecting violence against Indigenous women include racism, discrimination and societal indifference. The federal government should lead a coordinated effort among all levels of government to develop a national strategy to stop violence against Indigenous women.
Refugee protection
Refugees who seek protection in Canada present their case at a hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board in Canada. The hearing is often a complex process, involving translators and potential life and death outcomes. There is no full, independent appeal from that decision. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act passed Parliament in 2001, and established a Refugee Appeal Division. “Seven years of ignoring the law is long enough. It is time for the federal government to set-up the Refugee Appeal Division,” said Alex Neve.
The death penalty
Canada abolished the death penalty in 1976 and has shown global leadership ever since. Yet in October 2007, Canada announced it would no longer seek clemency for Canadians sentenced to death in democratic countries. As a result Ronald Smith, a Canadian on death row in Montana, has been abandoned by Canada. In November 2007, Canada refused to co-sponsor a UN resolution on abolition of the death penalty, something Canada had regularly done in the past. Although Canada voted in favour, the refusal to co-sponsor sent a clear message to other countries. “The world needs Canada to resume it principled global stand against the death penalty,” said Beatrice Vaugrante. “The previous policy of seeking clemency for all Canadians must be restored, and Canada should co-sponsor UN resolutions that promote abolition.”
The use of tasers
The use of taser guns by police and correctional forces has grown rapidly in Canada since 2000. At least 22 individuals have died in Canada in that time, after having been shot by a taser.. Following the tragic death of Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver Airport in October 2007, a public inquiry is underway in British Columbia. The Office of the Commissioner of Public Complaints against the RCMP issued a report earlier this year, recommending restrictions on taser use.
“Amnesty International has been calling for eight years for a moratorium on taser use in Canada until they are subject to an independent, rigorous and comprehensive study,” said Beatrice Vaugrante. “It is time to make that happen.”
Business and human rights
Businesses must do more to strengthen and protect human rights in their global operations. Many companies have developed human rights policies and are voluntarily left to monitor their performance. The federal government should take up a proposal for a new corporate social responsibility framework that has come out of a recent series of government-sponsored national roundtables.
Addressing Poverty
Violations of essential rights to adequate living, housing, health care, food and education are often made fueled by discrimination and lead to poverty. Those who are vulnerable include Indigenous people, women, children, people living with disabilities, immigrants and visible minorities. The federal government should work with provincial governments and Indigenous peoples’ organizations to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing poverty in Canada.
Read the report:
Strengthening our Commitment: A Human Rights Agenda for Canada
For more information, please contact:
Beth Berton-Hunter, Media Relations
416-363-9933, ext. 32
John Tackaberry, Media Relations
613-744-7667, ext. 236