Joly raises abortion in speech to UN

Minister tells body Canada will fight ‘increasing attacks on women’s rights’

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly urged countries to uphold women’s rights and abortion access on Monday, while Canada announced looming sanctions on Iranian officials over the death of a young woman who was detained by the country’s morality police.

In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, as the global gathering draws to a close, Joly summarized Canada’s priorities and concerns in foreign relations, including by calling for more multilateral solutions to problems like climate change and sexual violence.

Canada is part of “a global coalition in support of equality” that will “repel these increasing attacks on women’s rights and freedoms,” she told the assembly in French on Monday.

“Sexual and reproductive health rights for women and girls are being rolled back or denied in too many countries,” Joly said in English.

“Canada will always stand up for your right to choose.”

Though Joly did not mention the United States in this section of her speech, her comments come after months of backlash to the U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing states to ban abortions, with some seeking to prosecute those who help people end their pregnancies in other jurisdictions.

“We will speak up for your rights and dignity. No government, no politics, no judge — no one can take that away from you,” Joly said.

Joly’s remarks did mention women targeted by autocratic governments, such as the Taliban preventing Afghan girls from attending school.