Report from the UN Committee raises concerns about missing and murdered Aboriginal women, Bill C-51, immigration detention measures for asylum seekers, among a wide range of issues.
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A United Nations human rights body raised concerns Thursday about Canada’s new anti-terror legislation, saying it could run afoul of global human rights standards.
The committee says while it appreciates Canada must take steps to protect against terrorism, the government should consider rewriting the law to ensure it complies with the global civil rights agreement.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee reviewed Canada’s recent history of dealing with civil and political freedoms, along with six other countries.
On the upside were British Columbia’s Missing Women Commission of Inquiry and recently passed legislation related to missing persons; the federal government’s new Action Plan to Address Family Violence and Violent Crimes Against Aboriginal Women and Girls.
“Canada has the human and financial capital to heed the recommendations of the Committee, improve the implementation of its human rights commitments, and re-emerge as a global leader on human rights issues”, the group, comprised of 14 different organizations, said in a statement.
Missing and murdered aboriginal women: In the wake of reports on murdered and missing women, the committee said “indigenous women and girls are disproportionately affected by life-threatening forms of violence, homicides and disappearances”. “Just last week the Reputation Institute found that Canada was the most admired country in the world”. It suggests Canada should review the act and allow for better legal safeguards.
“We are, overall, quite pleased that the committee recognized that indefinite detention and the lack of alternatives are serious problems with the system in Canada”, Mandhane said in an interview. But the committee said it was still “concerned about the lack of information on measures taken to investigate, prosecute and punish those responsible”.
A panel of experts warned about “allegations of human rights abuses by Canadian companies operating overseas, in particular mining corporations, and about the inaccessibility to remedies by victims of such violations”.
Refugees and immigration: The committee worries “that individuals who are nationals of designated “safe” countries are denied an appeal hearing against a rejected refugee claim before the Refugee Appeal Division and are only allowed judicial review before the Federal Court” – increasing the risk they may be sent back. It urged Canada to “resolve land and resources disputes with indigenous peoples and find ways and means to establish their titles over their lands with respect to their treaty rights”.
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Canada is asked to report in five years on its response to the recommendations.
