Release

Date: July 8, 2007

For Release: Immediate

Dion Calls on Harper Government to Sign UN Rights Declaration

OTTAWA – Liberal Opposition Leader Stéphane Dion today sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling on his government to uphold Canada’s reputation as a promoter and protector of human rights by ceasing its efforts to block passage of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has been under development for more than two decades. Canada was an active participant at every stage,” wrote Mr. Dion.

“In June 2006, your Conservative government withdrew Canada’s support for the Declaration. This marks the first time Canada has led an effort against a major international human rights document. The Official Opposition is deeply concerned over the efforts of your government to have this Declaration reopened for negotiation. Such actions are likely to seriously delay, and may even prevent, the adoption of this much-needed and long overdue document.

“The face that Canadians want to show to the world is that of a Canada who is a defender of human rights. We should never shy away from the responsibility that comes with this vision,” stated Mr. Dion.

The full text of Mr. Dion’s letter is attached.

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Contact:

Press Office

Office of the Leader of the Opposition

(613) 995-5904

Open Letter to Stephen Harper on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has been under development for more than two decades. Canada was an active participant at every stage. In recent years, Canada played a critical role in building State support for the principles contained in the draft. While the finalized text would not be officially completed until early 2006, by late 2005, with the bulk of the drafting completed, Canada was fully supportive and actively encouraging other countries to sign on and support the Declaration.

The Declaration makes a unique and much needed contribution to international human rights standards. It focuses largely on indigenous peoples’ collective rights, including land rights, essential to their survival, well-being and ways of life. Every provision is interpreted, in accordance with core international principles such as justice, democracy, respect for human rights, equality and good governance.

The Declaration is a compromise instrument that represents a crucial step forward. Accordingly the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs of the House of Commons has twice recommended that the Government of Canada support the immediate adoption of the Declaration. Regretfully, this advice has been virtually ignored.

In June 2006, your Conservative Government withdrew Canada’s support for the Declaration. Canada and Russia were the only two members of the 47-country Human Rights Council to vote against the Declaration. This marks the first time Canada has led an effort against a major international human rights document. Canadians pride themselves on the fact that our country has always been on the forefront of advocating in favour of these advancements in global human rights law.

Starting in 1948, when the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was drafted by the great Canadian, John Peters Humphrey, Canada has played a key role in the adoption of international conventions. These include, among other things, the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the protection of refugees, and enshrining the rights of children in international law. We often forget that there were always arguments against these treaties based on domestic concerns. However, former governments of Canada of all political stripes were not afraid to have Canada aspire to a greater level of protection for these historically vulnerable groups, if it meant that other countries would join us in that goal.

Why would we now not fight the same fight for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide?

The Official Opposition is deeply concerned over the efforts of your government to have this Declaration reopened for negotiation. Such actions are likely to seriously delay, and may even prevent, the adoption of this much needed and long overdue document.

The face that Canadians want to show to the world is that of a Canada who is a defender of human rights. We should never shy away from the responsibility that comes with this vision.

How can your government say it is a protector of human rights when it opposed the rights of indigenous people around the world?

Canada must remain firm in its commitment to support this crucial work of the Human Rights Council, and should support this Declaration that recognizes, promotes and protects the human rights and freedoms of every indigenous person, as well as the collective rights of indigenous peoples around the world, that works against discrimination, reflects the unique place of indigenous peoples in the world, and, encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between indigenous peoples and the States in which they live.

I leave you with the words of UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples: “no country has ever been diminished by supporting an international human rights instrument; rather the contrary is the case”.

The former Liberal government took us to within steps of the finish line of this process, and the Official Opposition would be the first to applaud you if your government took the final crucial step. I urge you to sign the Declaration without delay.

Sincerely,

Stéphane Dion

Leader of the Official Opposition