Canada Seeks Seat On UN Human Rights Council

According to the minister of foreign affairs, environmental justice and gender equality are top priorities.

On Tuesday, Canada announced that it would run for a position on the UN Human Rights Council and support a number of causes, including environmental justice and gender equality. 

At a press conference in Ottawa, Melanie Joly, the minister of foreign affairs, made the declaration.

Candidates for the three positions are chosen from a group of 28 nations, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Greece announced its intention to run for a seat in advance. The 2026 election will decide who will serve in office from 2028 to 2030.

The council is in charge of monitoring violations of human rights, such as the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar.

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As a member of the Human Rights Council, Canada, according to Oly, wants to advance six key priorities:

– promoting reproductive rights and equality for women and gay people; 

– standing up for those who defend human rights worldwide; 

– combating those who try to undermine those rights online;

– promoting human rights for Indigenous groups, including those in Canada; – holding those in power accountable.

– Promoting global justice and environmental issues.

The Freedom Online Coalition, a group of 37 nations that “have committed to work together to support Internet freedom and protect fundamental human rights,” gave birth to the priority of online protection as a result of Canada’s membership.

Joly was open and honest about Canada, acknowledging that it has not upheld its human rights obligations with regard to Indigenous peoples.