Senate Report endorses CCRC proposals

A new report by the Senate Human Rights committee calls for major change in the way Canada implements its international human rights obligations.S  Several of its recommendations reflect ideas presented by the CCRC.  This is the fourth parliamentary report that has called for major change since 2007.  The CCRC is working with other human rights groups to promote increased public accountability for all human rights through regular reporting and open dialogue with ...

Go to article ...

Khadr: Justice Denied Again

In the last week a fourth court judgment called on the federal government to take action to protect the rights of Omar Khadr.  Khadr is a Canadian child soldier, who was recruited into the Afghanistan conflict at age 10, captured on a battlefield at age 15, tortured, and imprisoned without a fair trial at Guantanamo Bay for the last eight years. Once again the federal government refused and appealed the ruling, ...

Go to article ...

Sebastien, AB, and Ashley: Justice for All Young People

The CCRC recommends major changes to Bill C-4  in its submission to the House of Commons Justice Committee.  The CCRC will appear before the committee on Thursday, June 10.  At stake, argues the CCRC, is the heart of Canada's youth justice system, respect for the rights of  children under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and effective approaches to public safety. Read the full submission in English or French ...

Go to article ...

Complaints Procedure Moves Ahead

The campaign to establish a complaints procedure for children's rights scored a win at the UN.  On March 24 the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to begin drafting an optional protocol that would provide a complaint mechanism under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Check a news release from the NGO Committee:  English: news-release-on-resolution-for-complaints-procedure-english.  French: news-release-on-resolution-for-complaints-procedure-french. To read the resolution: resolution-for-complaints-procedure

Go to article ...

Children and Parliament

How do children fare in the new parliamentary agenda?  Check out an analysis of the Throne Speech and Budget, based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  children-and-parliament-2010

Go to article ...

Throne Speech and Budget for Children

The CCRC has five sugggestions for this week's Throne Speech and Budget. To prepare for an aging population, the CCRC proposes specific investments to develop the full potential of all Canada's children.  See commentary: canadas_children__in_the_throne_speech_and_budget

Go to article ...

Omar Khadr: Best Interests of the Child Key to Court Decision

A small phrase in the Supreme Court Decision on Omar Khadr is key for an appropriate reponse by the government. It is the principle of the Best Interests of the Child.  Read CCRC commentary: omar-khadr-decision-commentary

Go to article ...

Aboriginal Child Welfare Appeal Delayed Again

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has delayed again the hearing on the claim of discrimination in funding for aboriginal child welfare.  And the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs has applied again to dismiss the case.  The CCRC sent a letter to the Prime Minister,  asking him to take leadership of this matter, withdraw the motion to dismiss, and move to resolve the claim as soon as possible.  This ...

Go to article ...

Niagara Region Report a Good Example

 The Niagara Region adopted a Children's Charter of Rights, modelled on the UN Convention on the Rights of Children.  It has 10 guiding principles. Now they issued a report on the state of children 0-6, based on their Charter. It is an excellent example of useful reporting.  It is also an example of leadership on children's rights at the regional level.  Link to Executive Summary:   niagara-early-childhood-rights-

Go to article ...

Third Report on Children’s Rights Released

The government's third report on implementation of the Convention was submitted on November 20, 2009.  The CCRC will review and respond to it; we invite you to let us know your thoughts when you have read it:  canadas-third-and-fourth-report-on-crc

Go to article ...

Archive of Past Newsletters

• April 2010
• February 2010
• November 2009
• September 2009
• May 2008
• January 2008