Human Rights

Human rights are an important part of Canada’s foreign policy

Canadians expect their government to be a leader in the human rights field by reflecting and promoting Canadian values on the international stage. The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy.

Canada stands up for human rights and takes principled positions on important issues to ensure that freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, values that define this country, are enjoyed around the world.

• Canada’s International Human Rights Policy
  Canada has been a consistently strong voice for the protection of human rights and the advancement of democratic values.

• Gender Equality
  Canada is a world leader in the promotion and protection of women’s rights and gender equality. These issues are central to Canada’s foreign and domestic policies.

• Children’s Human Rights
  It is because of the unique vulnerability of children that their rights are of priority concern within Canada’s foreign policy.

• Universal Periodic Review
  Canada was a leading proponent of the initiative to review the human rights performance of every UN member state on a regular basis.

• Indigenous Affairs
  Aboriginal people in Canada are taking an increasingly active role on the world stage, in fields such as human rights, respect of cultural and linguistic diversity, environmental protection and more.