We require independent perspective and advocacy to be inserted early on in the process.

We've begun, and this independent law commission has reported.

In closing, I'd like to argue that at the very least, a free trade agreement with Colombia—which has such terrible human rights problems, and is a country in conflict—should include minimum obligations that actually require transnational corporations operating there to be responsible for ensuring that their activities do not contribute directly or indirectly to human rights abuses, and that they do not benefit from those abuses; that they shall not commit or be complicit in violations of human rights or humanitarian law; that any security arrangements of these corporations observe international human rights norms, as well as the laws and professional standards of Colombia; and that any companies intending to operate there ...[+++]undertake independent risk assessment that includes human rights and humanitarian consequences of the proposed activities and assume the responsibility of getting the consent and cooperation of the Colombian government to facilitate this independent risk assessment and any ongoing monitoring of the subsequent investment.

one independent person appointed by each Member State, having high level responsibilities in an independent national human rights institution or other public or private sector organisation.

In evaluating democracies, we had developed ten indicators: firstly, free, fair, and regular elections, including a multi-party system; second, full respect for all human rights, including minority rights and gender equality; three, full respect for the rule of law; four, an independent judiciary; five, an independent legislature; six, an equitable distribution of wealth; seven, control of the military and police by the civil authority; eight, public accountability and an ongoing process for consultation; nine, transparency and access to information; and ten, a free and active civil society.

I think the Canadian government can make the grants from the embassy and the government more accessible, especially to unregistered groups inside Vietnam; organize training courses on civil society and human rights for independent CSOs, as well as human rights defenders in Vietnam; and organize public conferences on civil society and human rights with the participation of independent CSOs.