E/CN.4/1992/52
page 150
For example, in the Keegstra case referred to above, the Supreme Court о
Canada referred to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms in concluding that the prohibition of hate propagand
in the Criminal Code was constitutional.
Furthermore, there are other legislative provisions in Canada than the
Charter and human rights legislation which protect persons from religious
intolerance and discrimination, such as the provisions outlined under
question (g) above.
The Government of Canada is, however, mindful of the importance of
seeking to ensure that the basic principles set out in the Declaration are
respected in a practical way in Canada. This is an area where there have bee
major developments in Canada in recent years, and furthermore where it is
important to ensure that progress continues. For example, it is just within
the last few years that human rights legislation in Canada has been
interpreted to preclude systemic as well as direct discrimination, and to
include a doctrine of reasonable accommodation. The federal government is
currently considering amending the Canadian Human Rights Act to provide
express statutory recognition for these doctrines."
Cyprus
"It is believed that the guarantees against all forms of discrimination
embodied in the legal system of Cyprus are both adequate and effective."
"The Egyptian Constitution and national legislation make provision for
numerous citizens' rights as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and are consistent with most international constitutions and
legislative instruments that have been promulgated in this regard. Egypt
participates in numerous human rights conferences and symposia at the regiona
level (League of Arab States, Organization of African Unity) and also at the
international level (United Nations)."
Guinea
"The Government of the Republic of Guinea does not just want to amend it
national legislation, it is in the process of drafting a number of texts to
bring that legislation closer into line with the international legal
instruments on human rights.
Any technical assistance by the Centre for Human Rights in this area
would be warmly welcomed."