Editors --- "United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - Review of Canada - Digest" [2007] AUIndigLawRw 31; (2007) 11(1) Australian Indigenous Law Review 140

• United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – Review of Canada

United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – Review of Canada

17th and 18th Periodic Report of Canada

Geneva

9 March 2007

On 9 March 2007 the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination handed down its periodic review of Canada’s implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The review found that Canada had made significant steps towards the elimination of discrimination generally, and noted with appreciation Canada’s expressed commitment to address through negotiations the assertion of Aboriginal rights and title to land.

At the same time, the Committee noted that it remained concerned about the extent of the dramatic inequality in living standards experienced by Aboriginal People, and that further progress needs to be made in combating discrimination towards First Nations communities.

The Committee urged Canada to address the discriminatory effects of the Indian Act on the rights of Aboriginal women to marry, to choose one’s spouse, to own property and to inherit, in consultation with First Nations organisations and communities, including Aboriginal women’s organisations, without further delay. In addition, the Committee was also concerned about the disproportionately high rate of incarceration of Aboriginal peoples compared with the general population.

It also remained concerned at the dramatic inequality in living standards still experienced by Aboriginal peoples. In that regard, the Committee regretted that, in its report, Canada had not addressed the question of limitations imposed on the use by Aboriginal people of their land, as requested. The Committee recommended that Canada support the immediate adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and that it consider ratifying ILO Convention No 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples.

The recommendations of the review also focused on the need to improve social services for Aboriginal Canadians. In particular, the review recommended that increased initiatives such as counselling and shelters be implemented for Aboriginal women, who make up a disproportionate number of victims in crimes involving rape and domestic violence.

The full text of the review of Canada is available at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights website:

<http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/cerds70.htm> .