For Immediate Release GENEVA, Oct. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - 19 representatives of Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are in Geneva, Switzerland for the review by the United Nations Human Rights Committee of Canada's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Yesterday, on the International Day for the Elimination of Poverty, the NGOs made submissions that provided Committee members with the benefit of their experience and that of their constituents on the realities of what has been happening on the ground in Canada. The NGOs represent a wide range of interes t areas and are in Geneva to highlight the desperate situation faced by members of numerous disadvantaged groups in Canada. "The members of the UN Human Rights Committee were plainly troubled by the deepening of poverty in Canada and by the continuing inadequacy of welfare programs, which the National Council of Welfare has called an 'utter disaster'. They particularly noted the negative effect on women, Aboriginal peoples, racialized minorities and people with disabilities. Canada was also asked about the concerted slashing of social programs and protections undertaken recently by the Government of British Columbia," said Shelagh Day of the Feminist Alliance for International Alliance.

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