JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE

It's not too late, Canada!
9 November 2006

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is now before the UN General Assembly. Canadian officials have said they will vote against the Declaration, despite the urgings of the Parliamentary Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and the fact that the Declaration has been widely supported by other states and by Indigenous peoples from around the world.

It is not too late for Canada to take a firm and principled stand on this vitally important and long overdue human rights instrument. Canadian Parliamentarians, human rights groups and Indigenous peoples’ organizations are urging Canada to vote in favour of the Declaration when the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly makes its decision next week.

An independent public opinion poll, commissioned by Amnesty International, asked Canadians what Canada should do to protect the human rights of Indigenous peoples around the world. The results will be presented at the press conference.

When: Thursday November 9, 2006 12:00 Noon.
Where: Charles Lynch Press Room, 130 S, Parliament Hill
Presenters: Alex Neve, Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada

Opposition Critics for Aboriginal Affairs:
Anita Neville, M.P. Liberal,
Marc Lemay, M.P. Bloc Québécois
Jean Crowder, M.P. NDP

Representatives of National Aboriginal Organizations include:
Phil Fontaine, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations
Mary Simon, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Dale LeClair, Chief Administrative Officer, Métis National Council