New York City –
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has called on UN member states to counter growing political polarization abroad, while harshly criticizing conservative voices at home.
Jolie put women’s rights and international law at the center of her speech to the United Nations General Assembly. The speech could be Trudeau’s last address at the annual leaders’ and ministers’ meeting in New York.
“Some of the loudest voices claiming to speak for freedom are those who are redefining the word for their own purposes,” she said at a rally Monday morning.
“They hide behind words and tell us that everything is broken,” she said, without giving her name, echoing the words of Conservative leader Pierre Poièvre. .
Jolie did not mention restrictions on religious symbols in Quebec or France, but said leaders are trying to limit people’s LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive choices and even “what they can wear.” criticized.
“We see this in our country and we see it all over the world,” he told parliament, delving into a series of conflicts that can only be resolved by countries that uphold the rules on sovereignty and human rights.
That means challenging the Taliban’s “inhumane rules” that limit women and girls’ access to education and public spaces in Afghanistan, she said. It also means more countries will support Haiti in its efforts to end what she calls a devastating situation of gang rule.
In the Middle East, a cycle of violence “requires serious efforts from both sides” to end the nearly year-long war between Israel and Hamas. She stressed the importance of the United Nations in seeking consensus and resolving significant differences.
“Polarization is real, division is real, and we have a collective responsibility to bring people together,” she said.
“People have the right to peacefully protest, but no one has the freedom to threaten others.”
She similarly framed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a distortion of the concept of freedom by Russia to justify undermining international law.
“No country has the right and freedom to invade its neighbors, and no country has the freedom to impose its will on others,” she said.
“Ukrainian citizens have the right to be free from fear and aggression,” he added.
Her speech noted Canada’s support for U.N. reform efforts as countries argue that Western nations have vast powers that do not reflect the population or economic growth of many states. did.
Earlier this month, he reiterated the call from the Women’s Foreign Ministers Group for a woman to be the next secretary-general, calling it “unacceptable” for the first time in the UN’s nearly 80 years of existence.
Monday’s speech comes less than a year before a national election in which Canada is in the midst of a bid to win a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council and the Liberal Party is likely facing a dismal poll showing. Ta.
Jolie’s speech ended by noting the decline in women’s rights, including access to safe abortion and contraception.
Although he did not mention climate change in his speech, he said there are many problems in the world that can only be solved by working together.
“Canada will work with our partners to get through this moment of crisis,” she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2024.
