A/HRC/11/17*
origin, foreign workers, refugees and asylum-seekers; and (c) consider taking on board the
recommendation of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, specifically to extend and
enhance the national homelessness programme and the Residential Rehabilitation
Assistance Programme.
46.
The Philippines asked if the Government planned to review its federal Live-in
Caregiver Program and address possible protection gaps. It recommended that Canada (a)
increase efforts to enhance protection of the human rights of migrants; (b) hold open
consultations with civil society on the ICRMW. It asked about plans for a national action
plan to combat violence against women. It hoped human trafficking would be addressed
through a human rights-based approach. It recommended (c) strengthening enforcement
legislation and programmes regarding prohibition of commercial sexual exploitation of
children. It asked whether there is specific legislation covering conflicts between private
mining corporations and indigenous peoples. It recommended (d) involving civil society, in
a meaningful and participatory manner, in the follow-up to the UPR.
47.
Turkey referred to Canada’s active policy on women’s rights and commended the
constitutionally-entrenched legal protection for women. It asked about criminalizing
domestic violence. It recommended: (a) taking further measures to ensure effective
implementation of CEDAW at the federal, provincial and territorial levels, giving particular
attention to Aboriginal women and girls, and; (b) closely monitoring the situation of other
disadvantaged groups such as women migrant workers, women prisoners and victims of
trafficking. It noted treaty body observations of poverty among vulnerable groups, cited the
Special Rapporteur on adequate housing’s concerns about homelessness and families living
without access to drinking water and sanitation, and CESCR concerns that low-income
Aboriginal and Afro-Canadian families had to relinquish children into foster care due to
inadequate housing. Encouraged by Canada’s commitment to address these socio-economic
disparities, it recommended Canada (c) continue to work towards that end.
48.
Finland noted Canada’s acknowledgement of persisting inequalities faced by
Aboriginals. It was unfortunate that Canada was unable to support the Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Finland sought more information on the Sisters in Spirit
initiative regarding, in particular the partnership between Government and civil society, or
on other best practices. It recommended that Canada continue its efforts to tackle
discrimination against Aboriginal women in all sectors of society, including employment,
housing, education and health care.
49.
The Czech Republic recommended adopting further measures to ensure: (a)
accountability of the police for their proper, sensitive and effective conduct in cases of
violence against women; and (b) better protection of in particular Aboriginal women
against all violence, including through addressing their low socio-economic status and
discrimination against them; (c) better accessibility of alternative/protected housing for
victims of domestic violence. Following one of its advanced questions, the Czech Republic
asked about measures to protect the rights of children of prisoners or detainees. It further
recommended; (d) the alteration of detention and prison facilities and standards of
treatment for juveniles so that they are gender- sensitive and ensure effective protection of
detainees’ and prisoners’ personal safety; (e) accession to OP-CAT and establishment of
the national preventive mechanism and adoption of additional measures to ensure full
implementation without any exceptions of the principle of non-refoulement. It asked for
elaboration on the mechanisms for the national follow-up to treaty body recommendations
and recommended that they include (f) participation of civil society and publication of the
concluding recommendations of treaty bodies; and (g) wide publication of the UPR
outcome and establishment of regular and inclusive consultation with civil society as an
integral part of the follow up to the UPR and also of the preparation of the next national
report to the UPR.
10
GE.09-15299
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