Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 9 -  Minutes of Proceedings - May 29, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 29, 2014
(14)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 1:15 p.m. in room 256-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Eggleton, P.C., Hubley, Jaffer, Ngo, Seidman and Unger (7).

In attendance: Shauna Troniak, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 27, 2014, the committee continued its study of the international mechanisms toward improving cooperation in the settlement of cross-border family disputes, including Canada's actions to encourage universal adherence to and compliance with the Hague Abductions Convention, and to strengthen cooperation with non-Hague State Parties with the purpose of upholding children's best interests. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3.)

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, the committee continued its study to examine and report on how the mandates and practices of the UNHCR and UNICEF have evolved to meet the needs of displaced children in modern conflict situations, with particular attention to the current crisis in Syria.

It was agreed that the following special study budget application for its study of the Hague Abductions Convention and its study of the mandates and practices of the UNHCR and UNICEF, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, be approved, for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

General Expenses

(Hague Abductions Convention)	$ 10,000
Activity 1: Travel to The Hague and Geneva (Hague Abductions Convention)	$ 136,900
Activity 2: Travel to Beirut and Amman (Mandates of the UNHCR and UNICEF)	$ 149,726
TOTAL	$ 296,626

At 1:22 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee