E/CN.4/2001/21 page 25 “Without in any way implying any conclusions as to the allegations brought to my attention, I should like to appeal to Your Excellency’s Government that the right to equality, the right to life, liberty and security, the right to work, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the right to freedom of association of Dr. and Mr. Ofume are protected without any discrimination as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin. These rights are protected inter alia by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Canada is a party. “I also draw your attention to article 6 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination which requires States parties to ensure to everyone within their jurisdiction effective protection and remedies, through the competent national tribunals and other State institutions, against any acts of racial discrimination which violate his human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the right to seek from such tribunals just and adequate reparation or satisfaction for any damage suffered as a result of such discrimination. I would further like to draw your attention to article 1 of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms which stipulates that everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels. “I would appreciate receiving any information that your Government could provide about the situation as well as measures taken to ensure that the right to equality, the right to life, liberty and security, the right to work, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the right to freedom of association of Dr. and Mrs. Ofume are protected without any discrimination as to race, colour, national or ethnic origin”. 3. Reply by the Canadian government dated 29 August 2000 to the first communication 58. Canada and its provinces have long been strong supporters of United Nations initiatives against racism and racial discrimination. Canada has long been a strong supporter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and has adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other international covenants of the United Nations. In this regard, Nova Scotia wishes to refer the Special Rapporteur to Canada’s reports to the United Nations under these conventions, including Canada’s Fourth Report on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Canada’s Third Report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) and Canada’s Eleventh and Twelfth Reports on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). The Special Rapporteur will find in these reports, in addition to the Government of Canada’s contributions, reports from the Government of Nova Scotia on its compliance with the provisions of the various conventions and reports on its efforts to combat in particular racism, racial discrimination and related intolerance in Nova Scotia.