June 20, 2007
No. 84
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today made the following statement regarding the
conclusion of the institution-building phase of the United Nations Human Rights Council
at its fifth regular session in Geneva on June 19, 2007.
“Canada is very disappointed that the Human Rights Council, in the important decisions
that affect its future work, did not fully respect the principles upon which it is founded.
“In our view, the Council has failed to meet the test of its principles of universality,
impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity. Specifically, Canada cannot accept the
inclusion of a permanent agenda item on Palestine and the occupied Arab territories, as
it singles out one situation for highly politicized, partial and subjective treatment of a
complex issue.
“We are also distressed that the human rights situations in a number of countries
whose human rights records are of concern, including Belarus and Cuba, will not get
the attention that we believe they warrant, as the Council failed to renew these two
country-specific mandates. Lack of cooperation with the full range of UN human rights
mechanisms should not be rewarded.
“Canada has actively worked this past year to make the Council a credible, effective
and responsive body. We will continue to insist that the Council uphold its own founding
principles, as agreed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution creating
the Council.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
