Statement on Human Rights Day

December 10, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, and the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, today issued the following statement:

“Human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and yet around the world they are increasingly under attack. War has broken out in Europe, in Africa, and in the Middle East, resulting in countless human rights violations worldwide, and the multilateral system that underpins human rights is under threat as never before. In this context, the promotion of human rights remains key to Canada’s engagement in the world. Earlier this year, Canada announced its candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for the 2028 to 2030 term. Our engagement at the Council is premised on the desire to strengthen the international human rights system.

“Human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and the promotion of human rights is key to Canada’s engagement in the world. Earlier this year, Canada announced its candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for the 2028 to 2030 term. Our engagement at the Council is premised on the desire to strengthen the international human rights system.

“While we will pursue our human rights goals with ambition, we acknowledge that Canada’s own human rights record deserves scrutiny. Recently, Canada appeared for its fourth Universal Period Review at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, to provide updates on its progress on domestic human rights issues. We also took note of the constructive recommendations made by UN member states on where we can improve.

“Canada is committed to renewing its relationship with Indigenous Peoples and to moving toward the recognition and full realization of their rights, in keeping with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are also working to advance rights and equality through our Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. The advancement of gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity and the promotion and protection of their human rights are also key goals that Canada supports both at home and abroad.

“Recently, Canada welcomed Volker Tϋrk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to discuss the shared goal of protecting human rights in Canada and internationally. Strengthening international cooperation and partnerships to increase respect for the rule of law will be critical to preventing further reversals, and Canada will continue to participate in bilateral and multilateral forums and will work to achieve this goal with civil society, the private sector and other partners. Globally, we will continue to support dignity, safety, freedom and justice—the birthright of every human being.”