Canada mentions human rights, HIV and Myanmar in one sentence at the UN. At the recent Human Rights Council meeting.
It is in the first paragraph.
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NADIA STUENER (Canada) said that Canada strongly supported the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders. The report reminded that many prominent human rights defenders across the globe themselves remained seriously vulnerable to abuses. Civil society engagement, particularly from groups focusing on the protection and promotion of human rights, had been critical to ensuring effective government responses to HIV/AIDS. Canada noted with concern the many challenges faced by human rights defenders who defended the rights of those living with HIV/AIDS and worked to combat HIV/AIDS in countries such as China, Jamaica and Myanmar. The question was raised how this Council, its members and observer States could best support the work of the United Nations and the Special Representative to seek improvements in the situation for human rights defenders in these and other countries.
Canada also thanked the Special Rapporteur on the right to health for his work in the realization of his mandate. Canada would be interested in the Special Rapporteur's findings in Uganda and elsewhere on the challenges faced by children infected and affected by HIV, particularly their enjoyment to the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Canada asked whether the Special Rapporteur considered addressing this issue in future reports. With regard to the report on transnational corporations, Canada applauded the transparent approach adopted by the Special Representative. While substantial progress had been made, business responsibilities vis-a`-vis the protection of human rights remained an underdeveloped area of corporate social responsibility. Canada asked if the Special Representative could elaborate on the variety of measures to be taken by States with respect to the protection of human rights by non-state actors, including non-judicial and non-legal measures.
