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He was in Geneva this week to attend the ceremony.

“Human rights are not subject to interpretation. They exist by virtue of the dignity of the individual person,” Mr. Kenney said in prepared remarks. “They cannot be written off simply because a handful of particularly brutal regimes have been given a veto powers in a bureaucratic body.”

Mr. Kenney spoke of the Canadian government’s commitment to exposing human rights abuses in Burma, the plight of the Uyghurs in China and building democracy in Vietnam.

“Our country is built upon foundations that include freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, democracy, and the rule of law,” he said.

The minister also spoke at length about Canada’s support for Israel. He pointed to Canada’s lead role last year in establishing the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research to promote Holocaust education. Mr. Kenney also spoke about the privilege of travelling to Israel with Prime Minister Stephen Harper this year.

Tibet’s exiled Dalai Lama sent an envoy to the award ceremony, who presented Mr. Kenney with a traditional Tibetan scarf.

“I have great admiration for your leadership, the concern and active support you have shown for the Tibetan cause, and your role in enhancing Canada’s diverse multi-ethnic and multicultural society,” wrote the Dalai Lama in remarks submitted at the event.

I have great admiration for your leadership, the concern and active support you have shown for the Tibetan cause, and your role in enhancing Canada’s diverse multi-ethnic and multicultural society

Mr. Harper was the first Canadian prime minister to formerly meet the exiled Dalai Lama in 2007.