OTTAWA PROGRAMS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2005 EVENT

UNCLAS OTTAWA 003380 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PHUM PREL ODIP PGOV APER CA SUBJECT: OTTAWA PROGRAMS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2005 EVENT REF: SECSTATE 202764 ¶1. (U) Post plans to observe Human Rights Day with an educational outreach program to fourth grade students at which Ambassador Wilkins will read a picture book entitled "If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks" by Faith Ringgold. The Ambassador will also educate the students about Eleanor Roosevelt's role as the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission. The event will take place in one of the Parliament buildings and is being hosted by David Kilgour, an Independent MP known for his work in the international human rights field. The Political Section will coordinate with Public Diplomacy as well as Mr. Kilgour's office to arrange media coverage. Post's and Mr. Kilgour's offices plan to post pictures of the event on their websites. ¶2. (U) Post is not aware of any other events sponsored by members of the diplomatic community. However, Amnesty International and the Canadian Rights and Democracy organization are each sponsoring their own events. Amnesty is promoting a letter writing campaign entitled "Write for Rights." In 2004, approximately 700 events resulted in individuals and groups producing over 20,000 letters advocating various human rights cases to governments and high profile activists across the world. Amnesty promotes the program over the Internet (http://www.amnesty.ca/writeathon) and will post 25 to 30 different cases on December 1 as guidelines for prospective participants. Rights and Democracy, the GoC-funded institution whose international mandate includes promotion, advocacy and defense of human rights, will present its 2005 John Humphrey Freedom Award to Mr. Yan Christian Warinussy of West Papua at a speech and reception hosted on December 8 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. ¶3. (U) Per reftel's request for quotes, the following is attributed anonymously: "Great Tribute" It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trail. It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the VETERAN, who salutes the flag and who serves under the flag. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS