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STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR HENRI.PAUL NORMANDIN DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE CANADA OF TO THETHIRD COMMITTEE OF THE61"t GENERAL ASSEMBLY on ltem 67b)and c): PRoMoToN ANDpRorEcfloN oF HUMAN RtcHTS

NEWYORK,30 OCTOBER 2006

ALLOCUTION DE L'AMBASSADEUR HENRI.PAUL NORMANDIN pERMANENT nepnEseNTANT ADJoINTDUcANADA

A LATRotslEme coMMtsstoN
DE LA 61ESESSION L'ASSEMBIEC DE CCruERALE sur le Point67b)et c): PRoMofloN ET pRorEcIoN DESDRotrs DE L,HOMME

NEWYORK,LE 30 OCTOBRE 2006

PermanentMission of Canada to the United Nations . Mission permanentedu Canada auprds des Nations (Jnies 885 Second Avenue,I4th Floor c New York,N.Y. 10017. Telephone (212) 848-I100o Facsimile(212) 848-I Igs http:// www.un.int/canada

Mr. Chairperson: ln hisspeech the GeneralAssembly to severalweeks PrimeMinister ago, Harper - the addressed issue accountability mandate the of Canada's Government new was givento makeour national government moreaccountable, the and accountability the United of Nations its members the international to and community. Accountability the foundation is uponwhichpeaceful societies good and government rest. Whenaccountability subverted impunity is and takesroot,the publicsuffers. too oftenthe suffering in the formof grossand systematic All is abuseof humanrights.Conversely, application accountabilitya critical the of is component ensuring justice, of stability, respect human and for dignity.Canada continues support updated of Principles impunity to the Set on asa useful guideline assistStatesin developing to effective measures combating for impunity. The failure address to human rights issues neither makes themdisappear nor removes themfroma country's a leader's or legacy.Societies cannot fully heal without recognition wrongs.Thisis an ongoing of struggle all states, for including Canada. In this context am pleased advise I to thatCanada recently offered the firstformal apology compensation Chinese and to Canadians the headtax for Chinese immigrants Canada to wereforced paybetween to 1gg5and 1923. Representativesthe Chinese of Canadian community havehailed as an this important stepin reconciling wrongs.Further, May 10,2006, past on the Government Canada of announced approval a finalReiidential of Schools Settlement Agreement, whichhad beennegotiated legalrepresentatives with of formerstudents IndianResidential of Schools, legalrepresentatives the of Churches involved running in thoseschools, Assembly FirstNations, the of and otherAboriginal organizations. Agreement The proposes Common a Experience Payment all eligible for former students lndian of Residential Schools, an lndependent Assessment Process claims sexual serious for physical of or abuse, as wellas measures support to healing, commemorative activities, the and establishment a Truthand Reconciliation of Commission. Mr, Chairperson, Accountability existson a number levels.lt existsin states'responsibility of to theirown populations theirprimary and obligation protect to and promote humanrights. The international community hasa responsibilitypromote also to respect humanrights, for andto ensurestatesare heldaccountable their for commitments underinternational human rights law. lt is incumbent the on international community seekto prevent to humanrightsabuses, andto proactively encourage international cooperation protect to humanrights, drawing on all appropriate toolsat itsdisposal.

to responsibility the this WorldSummit, bodyendorsed international At the 2OO5 the also community recognized protect.ln doingso the international lie at the verycoreof and that iundamentaltruth responsibility accountability and other war suchas genocide, crimes situations, In sovereignty. extreme state its has community affirmed collective the humanity, international crimesagainst shouldstates action, timelyand decisive through to responsibility protect The Security populations suchcrimes. from theirown fail manifestly to protect peaceand security, is international to mandate uphold withthe primary Council, thisresponsibility. for accountable discharging Mr. Chairperson, and Onerous accountability. role has a significant to playin ensuring Civilsociety practices, wellas the arbitrary as and registration surveillance intimidating process.We this threaten critical Belarus, of closure NGOs,by statessuchas legislation on of impact the newRussian preoccupied the possible by alsoremain NGOs. alltoo oftenthe are activities restricted, wherecivilsociety's Regrettably, hailsjournalists Canada are and of freedom expression assembly alsorestricted. those and injustice holdsto account aroundthe globewhoseworkexposes factthatover60 risk. lt is a disturbing oftenat greatpersonal responsible, so journalists mediaassistants havebeenkilled far in 2006,notto mention and andthreatened. harassed imprisoned, thosethat are arbitrarily journalists of the workunder threat criminal independent and ln Belarus Cuba, process political of full without due and The intimidation detention sanctions. concern journalists human NGOsis alsoof continuing rights and opposition, in of lackof freedom expression the and Ethiopia.The complete in Eritrea those mirrors of Republic KoreaandTurkmenistan People's Democratic writ large. for lackof respect humanrights countries' to closed independent remains of Republic Korea Peoples The Democratic of We of scrutiny humanrightsissues. urgethe Government the Democratic and Rapporteur to visitsby the Special of Republic Koreato allow People's - including implement accede all to and to his implement recommendations as dissent wellas to initiate for political sanctions abolish humanrightstreaties, the of reformolits prisonsystemunderthe concept the Ruleof Law;improve and accessto for promote safeguards the accused and system; criminaljustice justice sYstem. an independent as rights those suchfundamental to we fashion, callon Belarus respect In similar by and and assembly association, the rightto fair and publichearings of freedom tribunals. and independent impartial competent,

Thereis a particular onuson the international community assistand protect to humanrightsdefenders. Theyare our eyes,earsand conscience. lnitiatives suchas the Martin Ennals award commendable, no smallpartbecause are in theydemonstrate humanrights that defenders not alone, are tnai the outside worldis payingattention. Thisyear'srecipients, ArboldTsunga andAkbarGanji, fromZimbabwe and.lran respectively, epiiomize courage dedication the and of humanrightsdefenders the obsiacles and theyfacein thesecountries. Canada deeply is concerned continuous with human rights violations and disrespect the ruleof law in Zimbabwe. for The human-itarian situation, in particular with respect foodsecurity shelter the urbanoispLieo, is also to and for causefor concern. the faceof the deteriorating In economic situation, we urgethe Government Zimbabwe respect rightsof Zimbabweans of to th6 to freedom expression association weilas th"e of and as rightto peacefui assembly. callon the Government refrain We to fromthL use of intimidation, violence and repression against citizens. its Dialogue between jovernment ftre and its peopleis essential finding eventual in an resolution tre p|titicalcrisisin to Zimbabwe Lastyear,the UnitedNations General Assembly decided that it wouldcontinue its examination the situation human of of rights the lslamic in Republtof lranin the current, 61st,session. willbe doing-so theweeks come. we in to The violentrepression protestors Uzbekistan the cityof Andijan of by in last year remains serious of concern.Without freedom expression of aniiine rightto peaceful assembly, accountability remains elusive.we are concerned in particular the fate of thoserefugees asylum for and seekers returned to Uzbekistan, whosecondition afterlrrivalin thit countyis prevented frombeing ' monitored independenfly the international by community. We noteChina's recognition the importance the ruleof law,and its efforts of of to address social andeconomic inequalities associated rapid".onori" with development' However, haveconcerns we with respect continuing to violations of civiland political rights including freedom expression, of association and spiritual belief, due process law,arbitrary of detention incidence torture. and of The apparent crackdown manyprominent on humanrights defenders is worrisome. addition, shooting unarmed In the of Tibetans attempting crossthe to China-Nepal borderreinforces preoccupations relating the treatmlntof to ethnicminorities. China's lackof adherence international to standards free and of informed consent the context organtransplants alsoof concern. in of is The Burmese people continue sufferunderrepressive to military ruledevoidof respect humanrights fundamental for and politicalfreedoms. Burmese minorities face a brutaland opportunistic armythatsystematically the abhorrent uses practice forcedlabour. are deeplyconcerned the continued of We by detention of

prisoners callfortheirimmediate unconditional and and morethan 1,100political government usedby the current This is another example the methods of release. in We anddemocracy Burma. are alsoconcerned to to continue denyfreedom persons displaced and refugees.Canada, number internally of for the growing withthe UNHCR resettle to Karen has alongwith othercountries, beenworking We to from the for refugees accepted resettlement Thailand. urgeBurma respect people. freedoms the Burmese of andfundamental humanrights by humanitarian, remains deeply concerned the deteriorating Canada Elsewhere, The Janjaweed situation the groundin Darfur. on rightsand security human continue usegenderbased to to continue actwith impunity.Belligerents restricted poor by accessremains violence a weaponof war. Humanitarian as We obstructionism. urgethe Government of and conditions government security of of and bringpeaceto this Sudanto helpus end the suffering the people Darfur for 1706. regretany We the called in Resolution regionby accepting UN mission in whichmayset backthe peaceprocesses Sudanor derailthe decision which We in Agreements. calluponleaders countries of implementation Peace fate. to of recenthorrors helpthe people Sudanavoida similar haveexperienced protect to haveany meaning, is boththe Government of to lf the responsibility this mustriseto the test. Ultimately, is community Sudanandthe international getting in who are urgently need. assistance people to about Mr. Chairperson, Council, despite considerable a of At the SecondSession the HumanRights positive in for of workand achievements otherareas, a variety amountof outcome on unable reacha substantive to regrettably reasons Councilwas the to has The Human Rights Council a responsibilitybuildon in the situation Darfur. by effectto morethansixtyyearsof humanrightsnorm-building givingpractical we continues, mustlookto of the rights.As the process building Council those whereit countsmostmandates makea difference to and country boththematic on the ground. has the whosecooperation UNHCHR we thosestates In this regard, commend particular in rights situations, in improvement theirhuman as hailed promising a that Uganda and Nepal.We realize thisis notnecessarilysimple Guatemala, with who cooperate the United and others thingto do, and thatthesestates and to theirobligations are mechanisms working fulfill Nations humanrights prevention. is in this pafticularly the areaof proactive lt in shouldbe supported, to an for Sri spiritthatwe commend Lanka its initiative create lnternational We Groupof EminentObseruers. lookto Sri Lankato work Independent and the effectiveness, trustit will to withthe OHCHR maximize Group's closely and including workers, aid of the waysto increase protection civilians, consider of combatthe recruitment childsoldiers.

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Canadaalsoapplauds recent progress the madetowards peacefut a resolution to Uganda's longstanding conflict and is encouraged the protection that and promotion humanrightsremains priority the Government Uganda. of a for of ln our view,a negotiated agreement end a conflict whichserious to in international crimesare alleged havebeencommitted to shouldinclude provisions thoseaccused be brought justicein accordance for to to with international standards. As the security situation chechnyaimproves, encourage in we relevant international organizations upgrade to theirpresence the region. in Canadais verypreoccupied the deteriorating by humanitarian situation the in GazaStripand the WestBank. lsraelneedsto undertake efforts increase to movement accessin theseterritories. Palestinian and The Authority mustalso take measures address to lsrael's security concerns controlling by and preventing terrorist violence. Whilewe recognize lsrael's rightto defenditself against terrorism, alsohas a dutyto ensure protection Palestinian it the of civilians. Canada continues believe to that respect bothparties human by for rightsand international humanitarian can contribute the creation a law to of climate conducive achieving just,lasting comprehensive to a peace and settlement. ln Haiti,therehavebeenpositive developments. Presidential Legislative The and elections heldthisyear,as wellas the confirmation the municipal local of and elections be heldon December are important stepstowardthe to 3'd, first restoration democracy ruleof law in the country. of and Canada has substantially contributed international to efforts re-establish to security stability, and and supportlonger-term reform and reconstruction. important of this reform part An willbe making surethatinstitutions in position ensure promotion are to the and respect the humanrights the Haitian of justiceis essential people.lmproved of for successin Haiti. We remain concerned aboutthe useof prolonged detentions in contradiction accepted of international standards Haiti's and own constitutional obligations. Given fragility, this Canada beenworking has withHaitian authorities and its international partners helpdefinepriorities wouldleadto significant to that improvements. Partof Canada's contribution $520million of overthe nextfive years,announced the July25 international at donors'conferencePort-auin Prince, serveto support justicereforms, partof overall will as efforts solidify to the transition towardstability, security goodgovernance, to assure and and respect human for rights andthe ruleof law. Canadian support dependent is on the determination the Haitian of authorities dealwithinsecurity to (including the tackling gangsanddisarmament), timely of the conclusion the electoral of process, institutional reform andstrengthening, political and reconciliation. ln lraq,the elections Mayof the firstdemocratically in government a elected with full-term mandate sincethe fall of Saddam Hussein's dictatorial regimeis a remarkable accomplishment considering decades dictatorship the of inflicted

uponlraqisandthe attempts insurgents deraillraq'sdemocratization. by to We continue be concerned the deterioration the security to by of situation, are but pleased be working to withthe Government lraqto helpdevelop of humanrights institutions improve protection respect humanrights particularly and the and for in the areasof minority rights, wellas women's as rights gender and equality. In Colombia, acknowledge enactment the Justice PeaceLaw and we the of and the creation a Commission Reparation Reconciliation important of on and as initiatives the pursuit peace. in of Canada supporting peaceprocess is the through contributions the OASMission Colombia to in (OAS/MAPP) the and National commission Reparation Reconciliation for and (cNRR). Holding paramilitary leaders account serious to for crimes and rebuilding livesof the victims be keyfor the sustainability the peaceprocess for maintaining will of and the support the international of community. are looking an improvement We for in the overall human rights and humanitarian particularly situation situation, the of the over1.8million internally displaced. alsoremind We national authorities of theircommitment respect activities humanrights to the of defenders. In Afghanistan, strongly we support prominent placeaccorded governance, the to humanrightsandthe ruleof law in the Afghanistan Compact, we are actively and engaged supporting Compact's in the implementation. haveprovided We the AfghanHuman Rights Independent Commission g1 million funding, with in focusedon the advancement women's of rights, humanrights education, and transitionaljustice. However, remain we concerned continued with actsof particularly violence, against women groups, by ongoing andminority and impunity offenders, for including recalcitrant commanders. Without clear a political commitment the AfghanGovernment takedecisive by to actionagainst thosewho mostovertly defythe ruleof law,theywill continue subvert to efforts to promote stability the country. in The decision Senegal bringto trialHissdne by to Habr6is a verypositive step towards endingthe culture impunity.Elsewhere WestAfrica, transfer of in the of Charles Taylorto facetrialin the Special Courtfor SierraLeoneis significant. Histrialwill be an important stepin ensuring the victims pastatrocities that of will seejustice done,and in helping bringlong-term to stability the region. to ln Argentina nullification the Supreme the by Court amnesty those of for implicated the Dirty in War,andthe sentencing JulioSimonin August his of for rolein the abduction killing Jos6Poblete Getrudis and of and Hlaczik was righily hailed around worldas a significant the milestone thefightagainst in impunity. Mr.Chairperson, we havehighlighted todaysomeof the areasof greatest concernin the protection promotion humanrights, particular pervasive and of in the cultureof impunity that is a fact of lifefor many people. havealsodrawnattention We to

Governments individuals should praised theirleadership the and that be for and hgRe they inspire a better for world. And we havehighlighted someof our own challenges, Canada, someof the steps havetatento address in and we them.In hisspeech the GeneralAssembly month, to last Prime Minister Harper called uponthe UnitedNations become to moreaccountable effective. and Nowhere is /hismorelaudable moreimportant and thanin the promotion protection and of hurnan rights.Letus riseto thischallenge.