(No. 160 – May 12, 2010 – 10:45 a.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement expressing concern over Egypt’s extension of its emergency law:
“Canada regrets the Government of Egypt’s announcement of plans to extend its emergency law until May 31, 2012. Canada views the ongoing state of emergency as an obstacle to the full respect of human rights and the rule of law in Egypt.
“Canada recognizes that Egypt has introduced limits to the application of the emergency law. However, Canada believes that Egypt should fully honour its commitment to lift the state of emergency, a pledge it recently reiterated at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
“Canada continues to call for the respect of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
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Ève Cardinal
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Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
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