Workshop on Human Rights,
Trade, and Economic Development

December 6th 1995
Organized by VIETNAMESE CANADIAN FEDERATION
with the support of THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
AND DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE COLLABORATION OF N.G.O.
For BURMA, CHINA, TIBET and VIETNAM

R E S O L U T I O N

During today's workshop, we examined existing human rights conditions in several Asian countries and assessed the relevance of human rights in the context of those countries economic social and institutional development.

At the same time, in light of Canada's expanding ties with the countries concerned, we also attempted to assess the realism and effectiveness of Canadian foreign policy as it commits at least in principle, to promote democratization in these partner countries.

In our view, the Canadian government's difficulty in balancing its multiple foreign policy objectives may be resolved relying to a greater extent on Canadian and International N.G.O. working in the area of development and human rights.

In accepting and supporting such N.G.O. as important stakeholders for its foreign policy, Canada's government will maximize the chances that its trading partners will also benefit from the tolerant, pluralistic and democratic values it wishes to project and foster. To that end, a critical step would involve facilitating establishment of more institutional equivalents between Canada and its partners countries.

If anything, greater local and international N.G.O. involvement can enhance the likelihood of accurate feedback on the impact of Canadian investments and contributions to the sustainable development of the countries of interest.

WE WISH TO EMPHASIZE THAT A REALISTIC APPROACH TO A COUNTRY'S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CANNOT LEAVE OUT THE KEY INGREDIENT OF DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT; THAT GENUINE STABILITY CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE PROMOTION AND RESPECT OF THE RULE OF LAW AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRANSPARENT INSTITUTIONS THAT FOSTER PARTICIPATORY GOVERNMENT AND DECISION MAKING.

THE PEOPLES OF BURMA, CHINA, TIBET AND VIETNAM HAVE ASPIRATIONS THAT ARE BEING IGNORED BY THEIR GOVERNMENTS; THESE PEOPLES ARE ENTITLED TO BASIC RIGHTS THAT ARE BEING BLATANTLY VIOLATED. RECOGNIZING THE UNACCEPTABLE NATURE OF SUCH SITUATIONS, LET US KEEP WORKING TO MAKE DEMOCRATIZATION A HIGH PRIORITY COMMITTMENT TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE ASIAN REGIONS.

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Contents

[Hope and Prosperity Home Page]
[Vietnam: Land of Hope and Prosperity]
[Human Rights Development in Vietnam]
[Vietnam War: Not yet over for Vietnamese]
[Human Rights Workshop:
Burma, China, Tibet and Vietnam]
[Vietnamese Web Sites]


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