July 13, 2005

Hon. Pierre Pettigrew
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Tower A, 10th Floor
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2

Dear Mr. Pettigrew:

I write on behalf of the Canadian section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Canada) at the direction of President, Ed Ratushny, Q.C., regarding the need for reform within the United Nations humans rights system.

ICJ Canada works to promote and protect human rights through the rule of law internationally.

In order to effectively respond to the critical human rights challenges of our times, the United Nations should undergo significant and far reaching reform. In particular, there should be reform of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and the human rights treaty bodies. Further, we emphasize the need for a reformed and expanded Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights so that she may play a greater leadership role and be enabled by increased financing.

We endorse the detailed recommendations for reform as set out in the ICJ’s position paper entitled Reforming the Human Rights System: A Chance for the United Nations to Fulfil its Promise, a copy of which is enclosed.

The establishment of effective structures for the articulation and enforcement of international human rights standards is critical to the integrity of rule of law on a global scale. We urge the Canadian Government to aggressively promote reforms to that effect.

Sincerely,

David M. Aaron
Correspondent

Enclosure
cc:

Madame Louise Arbour
High Commissioner for Human Rights
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson,
CH 1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland

Mr. Alan Kessel
Director General, Legal Affairs Bureau
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2

Nicholas Howen
Secretary-General, International Commission of Jurists, Geneva

Ed Ratushny, Q.C.
President, International Commission of Jurists (Canadian Section)