PM receives international human rights award

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today became the first Canadian to receive the B’nai Brith International President’s Gold Medallion, in recognition of the Government’s efforts to fight discrimination and uphold human rights in Canada and around the world. The Prime Minister received the award at B’nai Brith International’s Board of Governors meetings, held in conjunction with the B’nai Brith Canada annual Policy Conference, the first time such a joint meeting has been held outside the United States.

“The award of the Gold Medallion generously acknowledges that the actions of our Government are guided by the principle that hate and discrimination have no place in a civilized society,” Prime Minister Harper said. “It’s a special honour to be so recognized by one of the world’s largest and oldest human rights organizations.”

Previous recipients of the Gold Medallion include United States’ Presidents Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, as well as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Israeli Prime Ministers David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir.

In presenting Prime Minister Harper with the award, B’nai Brith International President Moishe Smith, a resident of Ottawa who is the first non-American president of the organization, cited a number of actions the Prime Minister and the Government have taken to advance human rights and oppose discrimination, including:

Unequivocally supporting Canada’s role in the UN-sanctioned mission in Afghanistan;

Refusing to sign a resolution denouncing Israel’s right to self-defence at the 2006 Francophonie Summit;

Suspending relations with the then Hamas-led government in Palestine, for its refusal to renounce terrorism; and

Delivering a heartfelt apology acknowledging the overtly discriminatory Indian Residential Schools program.

“Prime Minister, whether in opposition or in government, you have always portrayed a leadership style that speaks of principle and honesty,” said Mr. Smith. “Our decision to award you the Gold Medallion reflects the esteem the world Jewish community holds for you.”