Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 10 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 2, 2014

OTTAWA, Monday, June 2, 2014
(15)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day, at 4 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Eggleton, Jaffer, Munson, Ngo, Seidman and Unger (8).

In attendance: Julia Nicol and Shauna Troniak, Analysts, 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 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. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 9.)

WITNESS:

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:

Furio De Angelis, Representative in Canada.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. De Angelis made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:19 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:27 p.m., the committee resumed.

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.)

WITNESS:

Hague Conference on Private International Law:

Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Bernasconi made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:28 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:50 p.m., the committee resumed.

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. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 9.)

WITNESSES:

UNICEF Headquarters: (by video conference)

Yasmin Haque, Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Programmes;

François Ducharme, Emergency Specialist, Office of Emergency Programmes.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Haque made a statement, and together with Mr. Ducharme, answered questions.

At 7:58 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee