Subcommittee on International Human Rights Committee on June 9th, 2016

Evidence of meeting #15 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was companies.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Briefing on the Human Rights Situation in Honduras

MPs speaking

Also speaking

André Frenette Director General, Latin America and Caribbean Bureau (Foreign Affairs and Trade), Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

Melissa Radford Committee Researcher

David Usher Director General, Trade Negotiations, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

1:50 p.m.

Director General, Latin America and Caribbean Bureau (Foreign Affairs and Trade), Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

André Frenette

We have values in this country, and part of our foreign policy is to promote these values in our relations with other countries. When we have conversations with the Honduran government, we have open and frank discussions. I had mentioned that our assistant deputy minister was there a couple of weeks ago in regard to the situation there, and we expect that progress will be made on the issues of human rights, rule of law, democracy, and so on.

We continue to hold them accountable for that, and that is supported in tangible ways through the programming we provide in that country.

These are ongoing efforts. We do it at many different levels, and this is something the government will continue to do.

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Michael Levitt

On a point of clarification, what does holding them accountable look like?

1:55 p.m.

Director General, Latin America and Caribbean Bureau (Foreign Affairs and Trade), Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

André Frenette

I'm sorry?

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Michael Levitt

You said we hold them accountable for that. What does that look like?

1:55 p.m.

Director General, Latin America and Caribbean Bureau (Foreign Affairs and Trade), Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

André Frenette

Chair, I don't think an opportunity goes by for high-level meetings where that issue is not discussed. It's top of mind and top of list in terms of our engagement with them. As my colleague said, we work together with the G16 and several like-minded countries in the region and elsewhere, and there's no opportunity that goes where don't talk about respect for human rights. That's what it means.

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Michael Levitt

Thank you very much.

I want to thank both of you gentlemen for testifying today. These have been significant sessions in Honduras. As you can imagine, it's something we are taken with, given the severity of the assassination of Berta Isabel Cáceres. I thank you both for coming in here today.

MP Sweet.

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON

Chair, over the last 10-plus years I've heard a lot of witnesses and officials, and I want to commend our witnesses for their quick, succinct answers. I think they answered as best they could regarding a tough subject.

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Michael Levitt

Thank you.