Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 20 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 2, 2017

OTTAWA, Monday, October 2, 2017
(42)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:02 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Jim Munson, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Martin, Munson, Ngo, Omidvar and Pate (6).

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Erin Shaw, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Gen Guindon, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, the committee continued its study on the issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations. (For complete text of order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 16.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Burma Ethnic Nationalities Organization:

Zaw Wai Kyaw, Founding President and Coordinator;

Pri Lwan, Secretary.

Fortify Rights:

Matthew Smith, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (by video conference).

Global Affairs Canada:

Don Bobiash, Assistant Deputy Minister, Asia Pacific;

Ian Burchett, Director General, Southeast Asia;

Stephen Salewicz, Director General, International Humanitarian Assistance Operations;

Robert McDougall, Executive Director, South Asia;

François Lafrenière, Director, Myanmar and Philippines Development Division.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:

Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR Representative in Canada.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Kyaw and Ms. Lwan each made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:43 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:45 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Smith made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:17 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:20 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Bobiash made a statement and, together with Mr. Burchett, Mr. Salewicz, Mr. McDougall and Mr. Lafrenière, answered questions.

At 5:59 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:03 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Beuze made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:31 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee