Copyright 1994 InterPress Service, all rights reserved.
Worldwide distribution via the APC networks.
*** 17-Mar-94 ***
Title: CANADA: Treatment of Indians main rights problem,
says board
OTTAWA, Mar 17 (IPS) - Canada's treatment of its aboriginal
population remains the most serious human rights problem
facing the country, according a report released by the
Canadian Human Rights Commission today.
"Aboriginal peoples are still at the bottom of the social
and economic ladder no matter which indicator you look at,"
said Maxwell Yalden, the Commission chief, who released the
report which covers the situation in 1993.
It notes that last year was the U.N.'s International Year of
the World's Indigenous Peoples, but that did not lead to
real improvements for Canada's natives.
The year's statistics "also show that their rates of
unemployment, disease, suicide, incarceration and abuse
continue to exceed the national average," says the report.
The failure to achieve a real solution to the problems
facing Canada's aboriginal people "can only continue to
tarnish Canada's reputation and accomplishments," the report
warns.
The Commission report says Canada's natives are not alone in
experiencing human rights abuses. It says the "unacceptable
treatment of women, racial unease and the systematic
exclusion of disabled people" are also real concerns.
The report says the Canadian Human Rights Act and the
Employment Equity Act must be amended and strengthened. The
disabled, women, the elderly, gays, visible minorities and
aboriginals need more protection against discrimination and
more access to jobs and services.
"Canada is seeking to present itself internationally as a
world leader in the systematic promotion of human rights at
a time when its own vehicles of change are in need of
repair," said the report.
Yalden said the Canadian Human Rights Commission also needs
improvement, although it remains among the best in the
world.
He said the Commission needs to be more independent and
powerful. It should report directly to Parliament instead
of the Ministry of Justice against which the Commission
often takes legal action.
The Commissioner said he is encouraged by the new Liberal
government's promises to make many of the changes he has
requested.
"Those who look to government to protect their rights have
been disappointed too often," he said. "They should not be
again."
Finally, Yalden said 1993 was no "banner year" for human
rights internationally.
"In Africa, in Eastern Europe, in Asia and Latin America,
the carnage often obliterates any semblance of rights, he
said. "And even in Western Europe and North America there
are disquieting signs of racism and ethnic disharmony."
Yalden said Canada occupies "a privileged place" and do
"double duty" to maintain its human rights principles at
home and "share our benefits with other peoples."
(ENDS/IPS/KOH/JL/94)
Origin: Washington/CANADA/ --
--[c] 1994, InterPress Third World News Agency (IPS) All rights reserved
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