Written statement by Lawyers Rights Watch Canada to the 26th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council and endorsed by the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group.
Recommendations
Lawyers Rights Watch Canada calls on the Human Rights Council to fulfill its duty to promote and protect the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms in Canada by monitoring and recommending:
- An immediate cessation of the surveillance of human rights defenders, Indigenous groups, and environmental organizations in Canada.
- An immediate end to discriminatory inquiries and audits by the Canada Revenue Agency of Canadian charitable organizations.
- The creation of an enabling environment for civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders, including,
- An immediate cessation of public rhetoric by the Government of Canada calling environmental protection and other groups “radicalized” and suggesting that their receipt of international funding makes them foreign agents working against Canadian interests.
- Amendments to the Income Tax Act and/or the regulatory and policy framework, which unduly limit charitable activities by restricting policy and advocacy work.