Human Rights

1) Why are human rights important for CHRV?

Through CHRV we believe that everyone has the right to basic fundamental rights and anyone who is deprived of that, needs a voice.  Internationally there have been many violations that must be addressed, and there needs to be a universal framework that needs to be used to address these issues.  CHRV believes that by using current legal, political and historical frameworks, a solution can be found to help those whose rights have been violated.

2) How does the CHRV's work contribute to the realization of human rights?

CHRV contributes in the promotion of human rights in different areas, through educating the Canadian public about ongoing issues with regards to human rights violations.  Also, by creating a means for the people to actively interact with politicians within Canada to bring forth some kind of deliberation or change within governments of other countries.  Also, CHRV is helping to promote justice reforms within countries, and also to ensure that the people are taken care of by their governing bodies and are not denied fundamental rights and freedoms that they are entitled to.

3) What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a Statement of human rights principles that was adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948.  It says that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights", and covers a wide range of different types of rights, including political rights, legal rights, equality rights and economic rights"

- UN Website

Advocacy

Members of the Tamil-Canadian Community Meet with Conservative Ministers and MP's

(Toronto, ON) - Conservative Ministers, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, the Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of International Cooperation, the Hon. Bev Oda, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Americas, the Hon. Peter Kent and Oak Ridges-Markham Member of Parliament, Paul Calandra, met with members of the Tamil-Canadian community at a roundtable this past Friday.

This roundtable was held to facilitate an open dialogue between Tamil-Canadians and their federal representatives, regarding the recent situation in Sri Lanka, and its aftermath.

During the meeting, Minister Oda discussed her recent summer visit to Sri Lanka to meet with Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance, and to visit internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Minister Oda observed that the living conditions in the camps were poor, and that there was a general lack of sensitivity towards the people living in them. However, she also observed a genuine effort from management within the camps, as well as the distribution of basic necessities, such as food and water.  After reviewing the lists of the internally displaced people living in the camps, Minister Oda stated that she was satisfied, as there was evidence that some of the families were leaving the camps and being resettled. Minister Oda requested that this process be carried out expeditiously, given the fast approaching monsoon season.

Minister Kent discussed the ‘opening of gates’ for more political involvement, but also stressed that the realities of these challenges are enormous because the Sri Lankan government does not wish to be criticized. Minister Kent also noted that Canada’s aid to the Red Cross has increased to $22 million dollars.

Compared to 2008, the federal government has accepted and accelerated more family reunification applications for Tamils in Sri Lanka. This is because the Ministry has placed more officials in Colombo to process these applications. “We are processing 25% more this year than last year in terms of issuing visas,” said Minister Kenney. “There are logistical problems for people travelling from the North to the embassy and the Ministry is aware of this, and it is the hope that soon the officials will be able to conduct interviews in the North.”

The Government of Canada acknowledges that the events which have unfolded this past year were extremely tragic.  However, the Canadian government has admitted that dealing with the often stubborn, Colombo government, has not been an easy task.

"Our Conservative government is focusing on delivering real results; all the Liberals can do is issue "feel good" statements,” said Kenney. "We are committed to speeding up family reunification for Tamils with family in Canada, have delivered aid to help the Tamil people and have spoken up to ensure the respect of freedoms and human rights in Sri Lanka".

 MP Calandra has been working tirelessly with the Tamil-Canadian community and should be commended for his leadership in engaging members of this group during such difficult times.  MP Calandra is positive that this dialogue will continue, and will be the government of Canada’s lead on issues of concern for this community.

This roundtable represented a continuation of steps towards re-engaging dialogue with Tamil-Canadians and listening to their individual concerns. A possible Tamil Canadian Town-Hall meeting will be held regarding these issues in the future, and a Tamil lobby day on the Hill is currently under consideration.