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United Nations Human Rights Committee calls on Canada to conduct national public inquiry

The Committee has called on Canada to take immediate, coordinated action on the murders and disappearance of Aboriginal women and girls. 

Ottawa (17 Aug. 2015) — The United Nations Human Rights Committee recently issued its Concluding Observations after reviewing Canada’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  The Committee has called on Canada to take immediate, coordinated action on the murders and disappearance of Aboriginal women and girls.  It calls upon Canada to conduct a national public inquiry into this issue.

Other international bodies call for a public inquiry

The UN Human Rights Committee’s recommendations follow those of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discriminations against Women (CEDAW), which issued its report in March 2015 on the murders and disappearances of Aboriginal women and girls. 

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) also released a report in January 2015 with the same recommendations.  It also highlighted how Canadian governments need to meet their international human rights obligations to respond to violence against Aboriginal women and girls.  

The Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) and the Native Women’s Association of Canada requested these investigations that led to the three reports. 

"Governments must act together to address this human rights crisis"

“The Human Rights Committee has now added its voice to the many international human rights experts that are calling on Canada to establish a national public inquiry into the violence.  Governments must act together to address this human rights crisis,” stated Shelagh Day, a spokesperson for the Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA).

Numerous outstanding human rights issues in Canada

The UN Human Rights Committee’s Concluding Observations also addressed many other outstanding human rights issues in Canada.  These included the gender pay gap, violence against women, Canada’s failed relationship with Aboriginal Peoples, the silencing of civil society, and Bill C-51. 

More information: 

Concluding Observations

FAFIA

NWAC

NUPGE

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