A/HRC/23/51 - Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights

Date
Type
12/02/2013
AL
12/02/2013
JAL
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> allegation transmitted Reply
CAN 1/2013
Canada
EGY 4/2013
Egypt
Indigenous peoples;
Freedom <strong>of</strong>
expression; Freedom
<strong>of</strong> peaceful assembly
and <strong>of</strong> association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations concerning <strong>the</strong> situation <strong>of</strong> residents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lake St. Martin First
Nation who were evacuated from <strong>the</strong>ir reserve by <strong>the</strong> province <strong>of</strong> Manitoba.
According to <strong>the</strong> information received, more than 1,400 residents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Lake St. Martin First Nation, an Anishinabe indigenous community, were
evacuated from <strong>the</strong>ir reserve in May 2011 by <strong>the</strong> province <strong>of</strong> Manitoba in
order to divert flood waters that were headed to <strong>the</strong> city <strong>of</strong> Winnipeg. The
flood waters were diverted into several indigenous communities including
<strong>the</strong> Lake St. Martin reserve. The homes in <strong>the</strong> Lake St. Martin reserve were
destroyed by <strong>the</strong> flood waters and are currently uninhabitable. The Lake St.
Martin First Nation leadership has attempted to negotiate with <strong>the</strong> province
<strong>of</strong> Manitoba to have <strong>the</strong>ir permanent homes be in ―Site 9‖, a location <strong>the</strong>y
prefer for its location and potential for economic development initiatives.
However it is alleged that nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> provincial government nor <strong>the</strong> federal
government have adequately considered <strong>the</strong> community‘s requests with
respect to Site 9 being <strong>the</strong> location <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir new permanent reserve.
Allegations <strong>of</strong> two draft laws on associations and on assembly which, if
passed, would severely restrict <strong>the</strong> right to freedom <strong>of</strong> association and <strong>of</strong>
peaceful assembly. According to <strong>the</strong> information received, two draft laws on
associations and on demonstrations in public places have been finalized in
late January 2013. It is reported that several provisions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se two draft
laws would, if passed without fur<strong>the</strong>r changes, unduly and severely interfere
with individuals‘ right to freedom <strong>of</strong> association and <strong>of</strong> peaceful assembly.
12/04/2013
19/04/2013
<strong>23</strong>/04/2013
A/<strong>HRC</strong>/<strong>23</strong>/<strong>51</strong>
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