Rights and Democracy acts to ensure financial transparency

MONTREAL, Feb. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Jacques Gauthier, interim president of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, announced today he has engaged Samson Belair/Deloitte & Touche to conduct a forensic audit the organization's financial transactions from 2005 to 2009.

Gauthier stressed in making the announcement that the purpose of the audit is to guarantee full transparency in the proper spending of Canadian taxpayers' dollars.

"Democracy demands accountability and rights require responsibility," Gauthier said. "As an institution that receives $11 million annually from the federal government - in other words, from the taxes of Canadians - Rights and Democracy must be accountable for the way our funds are spent. We are responsible to ensure they have been properly managed."

The interim president said neither he nor the board of directors has direct evidence of any individual impropriety. However, financial reviews have turned up transactions that require the attention of forensic auditors.

"We've turned to professionals to give us an accurate picture of certain transactions and contractual arrangements for the past five years," he said.

Samson Belair/Deloitte & Touche representatives will begin the audit immediately, and expect to report with recommendations in three weeks. Results will be made public as soon as possible after the report is accepted by the board of directors, Gauthier said.

Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development) is a non-partisan organization with an international mandate. It was created by Canada's Parliament in 1988 to encourage and support the universal values of human rights and the promotion of democratic institutions and practices around the world. Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development) is a non-partisan organization with an international mandate. Rights & Democracy works with individuals, organizations and governments in Canada and abroad to promote the human and democratic rights defined in the United Nations' International Bill of Human Rights. Rights & Democracy works with individuals, organizations and governments in Canada and abroad to promote the human and democratic rights defined in the United Nations' International Bill of Human Rights.

For further information: or to arrange an interview with a representative of Rights and Democracy: Prima Communication, [phone], [email protected]