Discussion Forums for the Dialogue Paper

Values and Culture

Thank you for participating in the Dialogue on Foreign Policy. The interactive web site is now closed. The Minister's report will appear on this web site once it is released.

This Forum is bilingual, and participants post messages in their language of choice.

Previous Topic | All Topics |

Start Topic | Next Topic

Lead by Example - Promote Respect for Human Rights at Home First

Contributor: DOCM

Date: 2003-04-15 13:45:58

I think Canada should continue to promote respect for human rights internatinally. However, Human Rights have been defined and discussed at length for decades. Yet Human Rights violations continue both in foreign countries and in Canada. Obviously, the means of implementing respect for or enforcing human rights needs work, both in Canada and abroad. The best way to promote respect for human rights internationally is to demonstate that Canada can implement and enforce them domestically. I have several years experience in policy development within the BC Government. It seems to me that that are people within the BC government, both in the buracracy and in the governing political party, who have a poor appreciation of Canada's commitment to respecting human rights. Furthermore they do not feel a great obligation to consider human rights when developing provincial policies and legislation. Before the Federal of Canada can expect to effectively promote respect for human rights to foriegn governments it should demonstrate that it can effectively promote and enforce respect for human rights to it's own provincial governments. Current BC social legislation and policies provide many examples of disregard for basic human rights particularly those of the Child. Similarly if the Federal of Canada intends to promote Canadain social values and culture abroad it should also consider promoting these to provincial governments.

Reply to this message

Lead by Example - Promote Respect for Human Rights at Home First

Contributor: fatmomma

Date: 2003-04-16 00:30:17

Thats a broad accusation of human right being violated by provincial governments. Can you provide some examples of what you are referring to.

Reply to this message

Lead by Example - Promote Respect for Human Rights at Home First

Contributor: codc01

Date: 2003-04-16 13:27:44

I don't think we're talking about the same human rights here, we're talking about the basic human rights charter of the UN - not socialist values which some people confuse with human rights.

Of course the UN Human rights charter is subject to wide ranging interpretation, but i really think you are not talking about the same thing that the foregin policy is trying to address.

Reply to this message

Lead by Example - Promote Respect for Human Rights at Home First

Contributor: 1440

Date: 2003-04-26 06:40:36

OPEN OUR HEARTS AND LEAD THE WAY HOME...

In the "Dialogue on Foreign Policy", under values and culture, it says that, "One of the most internationally respected elements of Canada's foreign policy is our long-standing advocacy of human rights, the rule of law, democracy, respect for diversity, gender equality and good governance." Canada has been recognized for successfully upholding these elements of our policy in a number of areas. One example, of the many to be given, is Canada's success in rescuing and saving innocent people's lives in countries abroad. One such example close to my heart, is how Canada was the first Country to step forward and rescue 7 Falun Gong practitioners from persecution and brutal torture in China's forced labor re-education camps, jails, and psychiatric institutions.

However, hundreds of thousands of practitioners continue to be persecuted in China, and news of deaths by torture is escalating every day. The past Chinese head of state, dictator Jiang Zemin, as well as others responsible for implementing this persecution, are currently facing charges of �Genocide� in countries around the world. Their actions have committed atrocious and bloody human rights violations that are in direct violation of the values enshrined in international constitutions, treaties, and laws of all civilized nations today, especially here in Canada.

Furthermore, there have been a number of recorded attempts by the Chinese embassies and consulates here in Canada to challenge our foreign policy. One means used repeatedly is spreading information of �State Propaganda� here in Canada, information that is completely false and incites fear and hate into people�s mind. This is not only illegal in Canada, but also immoral, as it intends to rationalize in Canadians' minds that this persecution is justified, and that killing and torturing innocent people because of their practice is O.K. It makes a mockery of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms to find this propaganda propagated through our media, as it has already been on several occasions.

Questions:

In relation to our foreign policy, what steps is the government taking to deal with such hate propaganda being spread on our soil?

&

How can our foreign policy counteract the effects of such hate propaganda on influencing our citizens, immigrants and visitors?

Reply to this message

Lead by Example - Promote Respect for Human Rights at Home First

Contributor: codc01

Date: 2003-04-26 16:29:18

"Furthermore, there have been a number of recorded attempts by the Chinese embassies and consulates here in Canada to challenge our foreign policy. One means used repeatedly is spreading information of �State Propaganda� here in Canada"

I'm sure CNN, Fox News and Al-Jazeera news networks give out more propaganda in a minute than China's embassy in Canada does in a year...

Prove what you say with facts, saying this and that means nothing if its not proven...

The US also does propaganda, as well as Canada, as well as any country in the world, its part of diplomacy!

Reply to this message

Lead by Example - Promote Respect for Human Rights at Home First

Contributor: cfallon

Date: 2003-04-29 11:47:30

Even you! You don't list the CBC in your "propaganda" media machines. But, really, the CBC was the most offensive pro-Saddam propaganda machine on this continent.

And it won't end: CBC will be anti-Israel, pro-Castro, anti-Tibet, pro-Kim Jong Il, etc.,etc.

My question is how do we stop our tax dollars from being abused by the CBC?

Reply to this message

Lead by Example - Promote Respect for Human Rights at Home First

Contributor: codc01

Date: 2003-04-29 13:59:51

I have a question before i answer you, do you consider CNN, Fox News and Al-Jazeera biased or not?

Reply to this message

Lead by Example - Promote Respect for Human Rights at Home First

Contributor: fatmomma

Date: 2003-04-29 22:55:15

Haven't we broke you of the habit of calling anyone or media that doesn't support the invasion of Iraq as pro Saddam. Two very different positions.
Please, I really think you are wrong; I didn't see any articles supporting Saddam

Reply to this message

Previous Topic | All Topics |

Start Topic | Next Topic