The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was pleased to meet yesterday with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who is visiting Canada from October 16 to 17, 2023.
Minister Joly and the High Commissioner discussed the overall state of human rights around the world and Canada's role within the international human rights system. Minister Joly took this opportunity to raise several pressing human rights situations of concern to Canada.
The Minister and the High Commissioner also discussed the issues of polarization and pushback on human rights, particularly those of women and girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
Minister Joly reaffirmed Canada's commitment to promoting and protecting human rights both at home and abroad, including continued engagement with the United Nations human rights system and support for the critical role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Minister Joly emphasized Canada's continued commitment to the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of Canada, and to the human rights system at large, as demonstrated by Canada's candidacy for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for the 2028 to 2030 term.
Minister Joly underscored Canada's unequivocal condemnation of the brutal terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israel. She also expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and emphasized the necessity of immediate and unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance. Canada stands firmly with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their right to live in peace and security, with dignity and without fear.
Minister Joly and the High Commissioner agreed to continue working together to address the increasingly challenging situation of human rights around the world.
