A prominent non-government organization active in combating human rights abuses is urging Canada’s foreign minister, Stephane Dion, to challenge the membership of some countries on the controversial United Nations Human Rights Council.
Dion was in Geneva Monday as the council, of which Canada is not a member, convened to mark its 10th anniversary.
The 47-member council has several members that have poor human rights records, including China, Russia, Vietnam, Algeria, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Panama.
The NGO, UN Watch, said Canada could specifically target Venezuela in particular for condemnation because it is not as influential as China or Russia.
UN Watch director Hillel Neuer said he hoped Ottawa will continue the tough stand of the previous Conservative government against the council.
Canada recently announced a $15-million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, saying Ottawa wants to re-engage with it as part of the Liberal government’s broader embrace of the UN.
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