Statement made on 08 December 2011 by Senator Elizabeth Hubley
Hon. Elizabeth Hubley:
Honourable senators, every December 10 the world recognizes International Human Rights Day. Sadly, this is in spite of the fact that not everywhere recognizes human rights. Far too many of the world's citizens live under repressive regimes that do not allow them basic rights and freedoms.
I recently read a United Nations report about the atrocities committed by the Syrian government against its own people. It is a horror story of murder, rape and torture. Many of the victims were children, including a two-year-old girl who was shot by a soldier because he did not "want her to grow up to be a demonstrator."
Honourable senators, this horrifying example of what the United Nations has termed Syria's "gross human rights violations" has stuck with me. Like so many around the globe, I feel an incredible sense of anger and injustice, but I also feel a sense of hope because that Syrian soldier was right; that child would have grown up into a demonstrator.
The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 63 years ago was really just the beginning. It was and continues to be the blood, sweat and tears of demonstrators who make those words mean something. The Syrian people will not give up their fight for human rights and we, as Canadians, cannot give up our support for them and for all people who still struggle for freedom.