19 May 2004
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, will visit Canada at the invitation of the Government from 20 May to 4 June 2004.
With this visit, Mr. Stavenhagen aims to gain a better understanding of the situation of indigenous peoples in Canada. The Special Rapporteur, along with relevant parties in the country, will be focusing particular attention on such issues as the situation of the economic and social rights of indigenous people, and on the difficulties in protecting effectively their identity in the country. More broadly, Mr. Stavenhagen will explore with the Government, indigenous communities and civil society how to enhance national responses to the plight of the indigenous in the country on issues such as education and health.
The Special Rapporteur is expected to visit several communities in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Nunavut, Quebec and Manitoba. In the capital Ottawa, Mr. Stavenhagen is expected to meet with authorities from, among others, the Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs, the Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, as well as with representatives from the Supreme Court and other relevant actors. The Rapporteur will also meet in the capital with representatives from First Nations communities, non-governmental organizations and members of academia.
On Thursday, 3 June, the Special Rapporteur will participate in a joint press conference organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa. The Rapporteur’s findings and recommendations will be presented to the sixty-first session of the Commission on Human Rights in April 2005.
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