SDIR Committee Meeting

The Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met in a televised session at 1:00 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Scott Reid, presiding.

Debra Pressé made a statement and, with Rénald Gilbert, answered questions.

At 1:47 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 1:48 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee specifically condemn the practices of spousal abuse and rape, marriages of underage girls, the enslavement and sexual abuse of boys in the practice known as bacha bazi, and the persecution of citizens who freely convert to another faith, as heard in the graphic testimony from Reverend Majed El Shafie detailing the abuse of individual rights in Afghanistan;

That the Subcommittee specifically condemn any complicity in, or tolerance for, these practices by Afghan law enforcement authorities; and

That the Subcommittee request that the Government of Canada call upon the Government of Afghanistan to act to protect the individual rights and freedoms of all Afghan women, girls, boys, and religious converts, and to direct law enforcement authorities to vigorously uphold the law given the stated commitment of the Government of Afghanistan to the rule of law and to the protection of individual rights: specifically to freedom of religion, to freedom from slavery and sexual abuse, and to the equality of men and women before the law.

It was agreed, — That the name of the witness who appeared anonymously before the Subcommittee on November 4, 2010 be struck from any public record of the meeting of Thursday, December 9, 2010, of the Subcommittee, including the evidence, and audio and video recordings.

It was agreed, — That the meeting of Tuesday, December 14, 2010 be dedicated to the study of sexual assault on women and children during peacekeeping operations, in fragile states and/or in situations of conflict.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee invite Louise Arbour and a representative from United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) to appear before the Subcommittee on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, concerning sexual assault on women and children during peacekeeping operations, in fragile states and/or situations of conflict.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee meet on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at 3 p.m., in order to discuss its work plan for the upcoming months.

ORDERED, — That the Clerk of the Subcommittee contact Ms. Khawar Mumtaz to obtain the text of her public lecture held at the International Development Centre on Thursday, December 9, 2010 entitled: “Structural inequalities and gendered social exclusion in Pakistan: Is there light at the end of the tunnel?” and that the text be appended to the evidence heard on the study of sexual assault on women and children during preacekeeping operations, in fragile states and/or situations of conflict.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee release a statement congratulating Liu Xiaobo on the honour of winning the Nobel Peace Prize and that the Government of Canada call upon the Government of China to release Mr. Liu Xiaobo from detention immediately.

At 2:00 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.