Canada marks Human Rights Day
Statement
December 10, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today issued the following statement:
“Human Rights Day reminds us that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. These words are inscribed in the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are as powerful today as they were when the declaration was adopted by the United Nations in 1948.
“Globally, there is much work to do to prevent human rights abuse. Canada calls on states to uphold their obligations under international human rights treaties. Violent non-state actors abuse human rights and target vulnerable populations and marginalized groups. These injustices keep people from reaching their full potential and societies from becoming more prosperous.
“The principles articulated in the declaration are integral to freedom, justice and peace in the world. We must continue to be vigilant and to combat acts of intolerance that run contrary to Canadian values of peaceful pluralism and respect for diversity.
“Canada will continue to work through multilateral organizations, bilateral engagement, development assistance, and international trade policy and services to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights internationally. We will persist in these efforts to ensure that all people are able to fully enjoy their human rights around the world.”
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