German-Canadian Congress
Deutschkanadischer Kongress
Congrès Allemand-Canadien
Press Release
for immediate publication
The German – Canadian Congress is very concerned with proposed direction of the “Canadian Museum for Human Rights”
Waterloo Dec. 14, 2010. The German Canadian Congress is alarmed and concerned regarding an article by the Free Press about the museum’s final content advisory committee report.
The committee calls for only two permanent galleries in the museum: One for the Holocaust and the other for Canada’s indigenous people.
It is very important to the German Canadian Congress that the Museum for Human Rights will be inclusive and equitable in its treatment of the subject. It must recognize that human suffering is equal to all people. No suffering by one group of people can be more important, than the suffering of others. Only by recognizing that all suffering is equal can we teach Canadians about human rights. Failing to be equitable and inclusive would teach racism.
1) The museum’s name and mission statement must be generic, equitable and inclusive.
2) The museum will not promote or suggest that any one case of human suffering is greater than others and will not provide it with permanent strategic positioning, disproportionate display space or any other devices to get more attention by visitors.
3) The museum’s displays, funding and support for research and publication should be more heavily founded towards lesser known human rights abuses and genocides. It is especially important to give recognition to the historically marginalized groups so that they can be fully recognized, documented and shown to Canadians.
4) The museum’s governance, its board of directors, officers and staff must reflect the demographic diversity of Canada’s people.
5) The museum must operate independent of any corporations and institutions except the government of Canada.
There have been many tragedies in the 20th century and before. There must be a collective ethic that compels us to recognize all human suffering. All victims of wrong-doing must be remembered equally.
For more information please contact:
Tony Bergmeier National President the German-Canadian Congress
Tel.: 519-744-1819 Email: tonyberg@rogers.com
National President’s Office
83 Lang Cres. Kitchener , Ontario, N2K 1P4 Tel. (519) 744-1819 Fax (519) 744–1819 email: tonyberg@rogers.com
