Minister Joly to attend event in Washington marking third anniversary of Declaration against arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations
News release
February 12, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced she will be travelling to Washington, D.C., to attend an expert panel event on February 13 to mark the third anniversary of the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is hosting the event which will focus on the international security dimensions of hostage diplomacy.
While in Washington, the Minister will also meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the strength of the Canada-U.S. relationship, peace and security in the Middle East, continued support for Haitian-led solutions, as well as to reaffirm Canada's commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Quotes
“The use of hostage diplomacy by states to achieve political leverage is abhorrent and has a chilling effect on our international system, which is built on trust and friendly relations between states. It is important that we understand the full range of security implications of this threat so that we can respond effectively by upholding a strong collective front against this practice.”
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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The Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations is supported by 75 endorsers, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, as well as by member states of the UN Human Rights Council, by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and by the G7.
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The declaration reaffirms established principles of human rights, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
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The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars will host the expert panel event in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, the U.S. Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Associated links
- Initiative against arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations
- Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations (text)
- Arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations: Partnership Action Plan
- Hostage Diplomacy as an International Security Threat: Strengthening our Collective Action, Deterrence and Response
Contacts
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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