e-5126 (Civil and human rights)

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled

• Canada signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, pledging itself to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Canada’s adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples reflect our commitment to the principles of justice, equality, and freedom;
• Upholding the basics of justice, equality, freedom, security, and well-being for all is essential for preventing conflict and war and for Canada’s own security and stability;
• The lack of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms is the underlying cause of violent conflict;
• An open society and an informed public and parliament is essential for the understanding of complex issues of violent conflict and for the achieving of lasting peace and disarmament; and
• With the closing of the Pearson Peace Centre, Canada lost an important civilian-led, independent institutional structure that supported effective research, policy, and training in peace operations and conflict resolution.