Legal experts question Canada's arguments against the UN Declaration

[marcel]

VANCOUVER, Feb. 20 /CNW Telbec/ -

(On the second day of a symposium on Implementing the UN Declaration
on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples a panel of international law
experts discussed Canada's stance on the
UN Declaration. "The Declaration and Canadian Law"

The panel critiqued the federal government's recent campaigns against
the UN Declaration, in Canada and abroad, including arguments that:
the
Declaration does not address individual rights, threatens the rights
of
non-native citizens, and is inconsistent with Canada's constitution.
The panel
also commented on how Canada's actions regarding the Declaration
have impacted its international reputation and relationships.)

"We believe that Canadians are fair-minded people who care deeply
about
human rights and that they do not want their government to pick and
choose
when they will apply and respect human rights. Canada has made a
commitment to
uphold the highest human rights standards in international and
domestic law.
We remind Canadians that it is not too late for the federal government
to
reverse its opposition to the UN Declaration, as Australia has
promised to
do," said National Chief Phil Fontaine. "We expect the legal panel
will agree
with other legal advisors and international experts by reaffirming
that the
UN Declaration is consistent with the rights guaranteed under section
35 of
Canada's constitution and all other domestic laws and international
human
rights laws."
Canada was actively involved in the drafting of the UN
Declaration for
20 years, but in 2006, after the election of a new government, it
suddenly
changed its position and began actively opposing the historic
document. The
government's opposition included a media campaign against the
Declaration,
lobbying other states to oppose the Declaration, and demanding
amendments to
provisions that Canada had previously helped draft.
"This week's symposium should be a signal to Canada that the
adoption of
the UN Declaration was not an ending but a new beginning. This
gathering is an
example of the work underway by indigenous peoples to ensure that the
UN Declaration is recognized and implemented as the minimum standards
for the
survival, dignity and well being of the Indigenous peoples of the
world", said
Grand Chief Edward John of the First Nations Summit and First Nations
Leadership Council. "Canada's opposition to the UN Declaration has
proven to
be nothing less than an international disgrace. In fact, Amnesty
International
recently commented that Canada's position as a global human rights
champion
may be slipping due to its opposition to the human rights of
Indigenous
peoples. It is time for Canada to recognize its error and prove its
concern
for human rights by supporting the UN Declaration."
The Declaration was adopted by the United Nations in September,
2007
despite opposition from Canada. Since then all opposition parties in
Canada
have urged the federal government to change its position and support
the
Declaration. The symposium Implementing the UN Declaration on the
Rights of
Indigenous Peoples is a chance for First Nations leaders to learn how
they can
move ahead on implementing the Declaration in Canada.
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples addresses
both
individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights
to
education, health, employment, language, and others. It outlaws
discrimination
against Indigenous peoples and promotes their full participation in
all
matters that concern them. It also ensures their right to remain
distinct and
to pursue their own visions of economic, social and cultural
development.

For further information: Karyn Pugliese, AFN Communications, (613)
292-1877,
kpug...@afn.ca; Colin Braker, Communications Director, First Nations
Summit, cell: (604) 328-4094, CBr...@fns.bc.ca


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