A/HRC/11/17*
agenda focused on five key areas: economic development, education, citizen empowerment
and protection of the vulnerable, resolution of land claims and reconciliation, governance
and self-government. It welcomed steps to promote inclusion of traditionally vulnerable
groups, but noted that disabled adult women and Aboriginal women are marginalised in the
labour force, with lower incomes and limited employment opportunities. It recommended
that Canada (d) consider taking additional steps to address discrimination in this area.
27.
Algeria associated itself with the hope expressed by Cuba for Canada to return to its
traditional role as a promoter of dialogue. As a founding Council member, Canada had
undertaken to cooperate with all United Nations member States in promoting the new
Council. Algeria recommended that (a) Canada associate itself with the consensus on the
institution-building package, whose objective is to equip the Council with the mechanisms
and rules necessary for its operation and implementation of its mandate. It noted that
Canada refuses systematically to denounce violations committed by an occupying power in
a specific area of the world. It recommended that Canada (b) should see to it that its action
within and outside the Council was based on the commitments it has undertaken and on
principles of objectivity, impartiality and non-selectivity. It supported CERD
recommendations to (c) start awareness campaigns aimed at protecting certain persons and
certain groups against stereotyping that associates them with terrorism and to envisage an
amendment to the anti-terrorism law to improve a specific clause against discrimination,
and to amend relevant legislation or to adopt legislation to criminalise acts of racist
violence, consistent with article 4 of the Convention. It also recommended that as Canada
has prospered due to the contributions of foreign labour, it should (d) accede to the
ICRMW.
28.
Morocco noted Canada’s anti-discrimination legislation, and its monitoring and
integration of international commitments into legislation, policies and programmes. It
welcomed efforts to integrate immigrants, including foreign workers, and guarantee their
access to protection and services. It encouraged Canada to continue its committed policy,
federally, provincially and territorially, to promote and protect all human rights.
29.
Mexico acknowledged Canada’s contribution to human rights multilaterally, noting
its constructive spirit during institution-building of the Council. It expressed confidence
that Canada would consult civil society in UPR follow-up and implementation. It
commended progress made regarding the rights to health, education, housing, social
security, the administration of justice, and indigenous issues, noting the Prime Minister’s
recent apology. It noted the Canadian House of Commons chamber motion, appealing for
endorsement of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It recommended that
Canada: (a) grant the same importance to and treat equally civil, political, economic, social
and cultural rights in its legislation at all levels; (b) establish a mechanism that will meet
regularly with the effective participation of civil society organizations and indigenous
peoples and have national reach to implement all Canada’s international obligations and
facilitate the acceptance of pending commitments; (c) consider positively the ratification of
the American Convention on Human Rights, the ICRMW, ILO Convention 169, and the
Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights
(OP-ICESCR); (d) criminalize domestic violence and adequately investigate and sanction
those responsible for the death and disappearance of indigenous women.
30.
Pakistan said Canada has developed constitutional and legislative safeguards for
human rights and Canadians have been in the forefront of human rights promotion and
protection. Yet Canadian policy in the Council often contradicts these high values and
requires review. Pakistan recommended that Canada: (a) make its immigration procedures
more transparent and objective and take concrete measures to avoid the misuse of
procedures to profile on the basis of race, religion and origin; (b) apply provisions of its
hate speech law in a non-selective manner to cover all acts and incidents that may lead to
GE.09-15299
7
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