Evidence of meeting #35 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was sanctions.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Tin Maung Htoo  Executive Director, Canadian Friends of Burma

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Scott Reid

We've spent enough time on that round.

Mr. Sweet asked to have a one-off. We do have enough time for that. Then, when that is done, I have one very brief question of my own, and we'll adjourn at that point.

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

It's more of a statement than anything. Mr. Maung Htoo may know about it, but there is a voluntary framework for Canadian mines, with some oversight that the federal government participated in a number of years ago. So there is a place—a pseudo-ombudsman process—where a complaint can be taken. I just wanted to make sure that they are aware of that, so if there were any concerns around hiring practices, environment, etc., they can actually lodge a complaint there.

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Scott Reid

Is there a website associated with that or...?

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

There is something. I had it from memory, but I don't have the exact wording. I know that our very competent researchers could probably get that.

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Scott Reid

I just gave a significant look to our very competent researcher.

I had a question regarding the recently created National Human Rights Commission that has been set up in Burma. Do you have any information on that institution, whether it should be taken seriously, whether it's operating as one would hope, whether it's set up at all? Perhaps you could guide us on that.

2:10 p.m.

Executive Director, Canadian Friends of Burma

Tin Maung Htoo

Yes, a very quick response to that. The commission was set up, mostly with former ambassadors. Some people closely worked with the previous regime, but some of them are very intellectual, maybe free-thinkers, in a way.

But the commission has had a lot of problems. The latest information that I can share with you is that the commission was set up by the president, but without proposing that idea in the parliament. So what happened a few months ago was that parliament tried to play a little bit, denying appropriation to the commission. Now the commission is kind of in limbo, without any funding from the government, and the president is trying to support it in any possible way.

That is one thing, but it is quite interesting. How much the commission has accomplished since it was established is not that much. In my opinion, it's kind of like a mouthpiece. For example, a few days before the release of political prisoners or other prisoners, they will publish articles or statements in the state newspapers saying they had asked the president to release those political prisoners because of this or that. I think that is a good way to use these channels when it comes to the development of human rights and other issues. Still, it is in a difficult situation now.

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Scott Reid

I really appreciate that. Thank you very much.

Thank you for your testimony. It was very informative. We are very grateful that you were able to take the time to come and enlighten us on what is really a very important subject. Thank you very much indeed from all of us.

2:10 p.m.

Executive Director, Canadian Friends of Burma

Tin Maung Htoo

Thank you.

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Scott Reid

To the committee, thank you for letting us go over time a little bit.

We are adjourned.