Canada's Shameful Human Rights Record

Dear Yoonie,

As a citizen of Canada, I wish to convey my thanks to Dr. Schutter and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for visiting Canada and for his extremely insightful report on the plight of many thousands of Canadians in all parts of the country that do not have enough to eat. I hope he will return to continue this work.

I am deeply ashamed at the inaction of our governments on this issue, not to mention the lack of respect for the United Nations and Dr. Schutter in failing to meet with him and discuss the grave conditions he has observed.  Please be assured that this attitude is not representative of Canadians who have historically been strong supporters of the United Nations and it's work on human rights issues worldwide,  and appreciate the spotlight that an objective observer shines on an atrocious and completely unnecessary human rights violation.

Regards,

Peter

Peter Dauphinee

506 866-2571

http://twitter.com/JusticeCentury

http://justiceinthe21stcentury.blogspot.com/

On 03/05/2012 5:21 PM, Yoonie Kim wrote:

Dear Mr. Dauphinee,

Many thanks for your message. We very much appreciate you interest in the visit. The itinerary of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter, was set between a process of consultation between the Government of Canada, Canadian non-governmental organizations and aboriginal groups and the Special Rapporteur himself. Unfortunately, as this is a short visit of only 10 days it was not possible for the Special Rapporteur to visit all priority areas of the country. Your advice, however, on the relevance of these additional locations on questions of poverty and the right to food is of interest to us. In addition to the first-hand information he gains, the Special Rapporteur relies on various information sources. Therefore, if you would like to submit any written information for the Special Rapporteur's consideration we would certainly welcome this. Please see below further information on how to do so.

The right to food is a human right recognized under international law, which protects the rights of human beings to feed themselves in dignity, either by producing their food or purchasing it. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food is seeking written submission on the realization of the right to food for communities across Canada. Written submissions can be in many formats from documents prepared specifically for the Mission to inform the Special Rapporteur about problems identified and their structural underpinnings, to reports, documents and articles prepared for other purposes but relevant to the Mission. Written submissions should identify particular issues or challenges in the realization of the right to food and should describe how these issues or challenges demonstrate the failure of the State (federal, provincial, municipal) to "respect, protect and/or fulfil" the right to food. They should thus identify a problem and explain the structural issues underpinning the problem. Any sources used in the written submission should be identified, and where possible links to key documents, reports and papers should be provided. All submissions should be sent to srfood@ohchr.org (it is best to send submissions as soon as possible, but we will be accepting them through the end of the May). 

The obligation to respect existing access to adequate food requires State parties not to take any measures that result in preventing such access. The obligation to protect requires measures by the State to ensure that enterprises or individuals do not deprive other individuals of their access to adequate food. The obligation to fulfil means the State must pro-actively engage in activities intended to strengthen people's access to and utilization of resources and means to ensure their livelihood, including food security. 

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

With kind regards, Yoonie

Ms. Yoonie KIM

Human Rights Officer

Special Procedures Branch

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mailing address: UNOG-OHCHR, CH-1211 Geneva 10

Physical address: Palais Wilson, 52 Rue des Pâquis, office 3-010

Tel: +41 (0)22 917 9643 | Fax: +41 (0)22 917 9006

Website: www.ohchr.org

-----Peter Dauphinee <peter.dauphinee@gmail.com> wrote: -----

To: ykim@ohchr.org, srfood@ohchr.org>

From: Peter Dauphinee <peter.dauphinee@gmail.com>

Date: 03/05/2012 21:38

Subject: Visit to Canada by United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter

Hello,

Can you please explain to me why the

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter is visiting various parts of Canada from May 6 to 16 but is not visiting the poorest provinces of Canada, namely Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick?  That appears to be a very strange plan for the United Nations.

Regards,

--

Peter Dauphinee

506 866-2571

 Mr. Olivier De Schutter, (Belgium), Special Rapporteur on the right to food, since May 2008



Ottawa Citizen, May 16, 2012: UN food envoy decries 'shocking' conditions in Canada