GENEVA, Switzerland, February 2, 2009 - Tomorrow, Canada will be pleased to discuss its human rights record as the Government of Canada takes part in its first Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
The UPR aims to improve human rights around the world by engaging all United Nations member states in a dialogue on their domestic human rights record. Canada is a strong supporter of the process, created in 2006, and has actively participated in the review of other countries. The Canadian delegation will be led by John Sims, Deputy Minister of the Department of Justice.
"Canada has a strong human rights record. The protection of human rights is a priority on our national and international agenda as a matter of both principle and policy," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "We are eager to participate in the Universal Periodic Review and look forward to hearing the perspectives of other countries through this process."
Every state is required to submit a 20-page national report before taking part in the discussion with the Human Rights Council. For more information on the UPR, please visit
www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/pdp-hrp/inter/upr-eng.cfm .
Information: Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
