SDIR Committee Meeting

The Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met in camera at 4:35 p.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chair, Scott Reid, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the motion on Albinos in Tanzania, adopted on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 be reported to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development and that it be tabled in the House.

It was agreed, — That, whereas, the Subcommittee has heard graphic and compelling testimony regarding the brutal and inhuman treatment of North Korean citizens, including their arbitrary detention in concentration camps.

Whereas, the UN Declaration of Human Rights proclaims a common standard of achievement to which all its member nations must strive towards, including respect for the following rights:

• Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

• No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

• No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

• No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

• Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Whereas, North Korea is a member of the United Nations.

That, the Subcommittee requests that the Government of Canada call upon the Government of North Korea to act to uphold it obligations under the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and, in particular, to release all prisoners who have not been charged, tried and convicted of an offence; to provide adequate food, clothing and shelter to all prisoners; to eliminate mandatory labour in prisons; and to end the physical mistreatment of prisoners.

It was agreed, — That two additional meetings be held on the study of human rights in Venezuela.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee hold one meeting on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 concerning human rights in Iran.

It was agreed, — That, whereas, in light of the call from a major Ugandan publication for the hanging of dozens of prominent gay activists in the country;

Whereas, one of the so named, David Kato, has subsequently been brutally murdered;

Whereas, Uganda’s Minister of Ethics and Integrity recently declared that ‘homosexuals can forget human rights’;

That the Subcommittee call on the Government of Canada to formally condemn the murder of David Kato, and;

That the Subcommittee recommends that the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism allocates funds to and work in cooperation with Canadian organizations such as Egale and Pride Uganda Alliance International that currently provide assistance to sexual minority refugees fleeing their country of origin to seek asylum in Canada and;

That the Chair be instructed to inform the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and Multiculturalism of this motion and;

That it be reported to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

At 5:32 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.