Canada expected to bid for UN Human Rights Council seat
Global News
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly will announce Tuesday afternoon Canada's candidacy to sit on the council for 2028 to 2030, through an election.
Canada is throwing its hat in the ring for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, pledging to advance issues from online speech to access to abortion.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly will announce this afternoon Canada’s candidacy to sit on the council for 2028 to 2030, through an election that will likely take place in 2026.
Two government sources familiar with the matter, who were not authorized to speak publicly before the official announcement, say Canada is running on a bid that will highlight six main priorities, including holding states accountable for locking up human-rights activists.
Advancing gender equality, LGBTQ rights, sexual health and reproductive rights will be another focus of Canada’s candidacy.
Canada plans to echo the Harper government’s focus on freedom of religious beliefs, while tying it to anti-racism programs and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples worldwide.
So far, Greece has announced a run for one of the three spots that will be available to countries that sit in a grouping of 28 that includes Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
The Council investigates alleged human-rights breaches in UN states, committed by governments or societal actors.
It also issues reports on human-rights issues in general, such as Iran’s ongoing crackdown on women’s rights.