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As we now are within a year of the 2010 Olympics being held in Vancouver/Whistler, and there are a growing list of magnifying glasses being put on Canada. One that has been there for years is Canada's human rights record.
In
a recent Canadian Press article, "A United Nations panel is calling on
Canada to improve the treatment of its Aboriginal people and other
disadvantaged groups such as new immigrants and minorities The UN Human
Rights Council mentions in particular the need to protect Aboriginal
women who face discrimination in various areas including ‘employment,
housing, education and health care.’ Canada's human rights record came
under review in Geneva (in February 2009) with a Canadian government
delegation appearing before the 47-country council for several hours.”The
47 country member UN Human Rights Council made specific reference to
the "need to protect Aboriginal women who face discrimination in varous
areas including employment, housing, education and health care." We
also know of the efforts of many aboriginal organizations to have water
works and new housing built on reserves. The Council produced a report
containing 68 points. In
response, Gwyn Kutz, a director at the Department of Foreign Affairs
said, "We recognize that no country, including Canada, has a perfect
human rights record".
The
Council asked Canada to develop a national strategy to eliminate
poverty; to intensify efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination
and xenophobia; to give particular attention to Aboriginal women and
girls, especially the disabled; and to reconsider its approach to the
prohibition of torture.
Kutz said Canada "will carefully examine all the recommendations in the report and will respond to them in June."
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