Canada’s record on human rights is up for review this Friday, April 26, as the country faces its second Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council. The UPR is a mechanism established in 2005 by the UN General Assembly as a way to evaluate the human rights records of each UN member state. Canada’s first UPR was in 2009.
As a part of the UPR process, civil society organizations are able to provide their input to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). CJFE joined with the Centre for Law and Democracy, the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA), Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada (LRWC), and PEN Canada, to produce a submission that summarizes Canada’s record on free expression.
Although Canada has generally maintained a strong human rights record, our submission identifies some serious weaknesses in the country's free expression record that need to be considered:
• Protecting confidential sources
• Mistreatment of journalists
• Defamation
• The right to information
• Whistleblower protection
• Access to the internet
• Restrictions on freedom of assembly
Read our joint submission:
Learn more about Canada’s UPR and the review process
• Canadian Heritage | Canada's Second Universal Periodic Review
• Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada | Universal Periodic Review of Canada – National Report
• Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada | Universal Periodic Review
• UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) | Universal Periodic Review Second Cycle – Canada
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) | Basic facts about the UPR
