Canadian Health and Human Rights

Canada has a long history of acting with leadership and courage to ensure that human rights are safeguarded. John Peters Humphrey OC, a Canadian legal scholar, was the principal drafter of what became the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1991, Canada became a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The existing treaties and laws we educate and promote respect for and adherence to include:

 

  • The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, enacted by Canada in 1982

Equality Rights:

15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/Const/page-15.html

 

  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by Canada in 1948

http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/

 

  • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) – ratified by Canada in December 1991.
    “Canada played an instrumental role in drafting and promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention outlines the responsibilities governments have to ensure a child’s right to survival, healthy development, protection and participation in all matters that affect them. The four general principles of the Convention are: non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, the right to life, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child.”

http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx

Copyright © 2016 Children’s Health & Human Rights Partnership