Legal experts question Canada's arguments against the UN

Declaration
February 20, 2008 — CNW Group

VANCOUVER, Feb. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, on the second day of the symposium Implementing the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples a panel of international law experts will discuss Canada's
stance on the UN Declaration. "The Declaration and Canadian Law" panel begins at 9:15 a.m.
The panel will critique the federal government's recent campaigns against the UN Declaration, in Canada and
abroad, including arguments that: the Declaration does not address individual rights, threatens the rights of non-
native citizens, and is inconsistent with Canada's constitution. The panel is also expected to comment on how
Canada's actions regarding the Declaration have impacted its international reputation and relationships.
"We believe that Canadians are fair-minded people who care deeply about human rights and that they do not
want their government to pick and choose when they will apply and respect human rights. Canada has made a
commitment to uphold the highest human rights standards in international and domestic law. We remind
Canadians that it is not too late for the federal government to reverse its opposition to the UN Declaration, as
Australia has promised to do," said National Chief Phil Fontaine. "We expect the legal panel will agree with other
legal advisors and international experts by reaffirming that the UN Declaration is consistent with the rights
guaranteed under section 35 of Canada's constitution and all other domestic laws and international human rights
laws."
Canada was actively involved in the drafting of the UN Declaration for 20 years, but in 2006, after the election of
a new government, it suddenly changed its position and began actively opposing the historic document. The
government's opposition included a media campaign against the Declaration, lobbying other states to oppose
the Declaration, and demanding amendments to provisions that Canada had previously helped draft.
"This week's symposium should be a signal to Canada that the adoption of the UN Declaration was not an
ending but a new beginning. This gathering is an example of the work underway by indigenous peoples to
ensure that the UN Declaration is recognized and implemented as the minimum standards for the survival,
dignity and well being of the Indigenous peoples of the world", said Grand Chief Edward John of the First
Nations Summit and First Nations Leadership Council. "Canada's opposition to the UN Declaration has proven to
be nothing less than an international disgrace. In fact, Amnesty International recently commented that Canada's
position as a global human rights champion may be slipping due to its opposition to the human rights of
Indigenous peoples. It is time for Canada to recognize its error and prove its concern for human rights by
supporting the UN Declaration."
The Declaration was adopted by the United Nations in September, 2007 despite opposition from Canada. Since
then all opposition parties in Canada have urged the federal government to change its position and support the
Declaration. The symposium Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a chance
for First Nations leaders to learn how they can move ahead on implementing the Declaration in Canada.
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples addresses both individual and collective rights, cultural
rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment, language, and others. It outlaws discrimination
against Indigenous peoples and promotes their full participation in all matters that concern them. It also ensures
their right to remain distinct and to pursue their own visions of economic, social and cultural development.
The two-day event is open to all media. The full agenda is available online at: www.afn.ca . Today AFN National
Chief Phil Fontaine and Grand Chief Edward John of the First Nations Summit and First Nations Leadership
Council will be available to media at 12:30 p.m..

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