The Honourable Mélanie Joly yesterday announced the launch of Canada’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Standing Table on Human Rights.
Included in the member appointments is Professor Sheryl Lightfoot (Political Science and Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy) who said: "I'm deeply honoured to be appointed to Canada’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Standing Table on Human Rights. This role is both personally and professionally meaningful to me, as I have spent my career advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples globally and within Canada. At a time when human rights are under increasing threat, it is critical that Canada remains committed to principled and informed action. I look forward to working alongside an incredible group of experts and advocates to ensure that human rights—particularly the rights of Indigenous peoples—are a central part of Canada’s foreign policy."
The promotion and protection of human rights remains an integral part of Canadian foreign policy. Amid growing attacks on human rights defenders and global uncertainty, Canada’s leadership on the promotion and protection of human rights is critical. The Standing Table brings together Canadian civil society leaders and human rights experts to provide the minister and senior officials with independent insight and advice on human rights considerations across all aspects of Canada’s foreign policy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly said: “Human rights have long been at the core of Canada’s foreign policy. Amid global uncertainty, growing attacks on human rights defenders worldwide and evolving geopolitical challenges, Canada’s continued leadership is critical. I am pleased to announce today the launch of the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Standing Table on Human Rights. I look forward to a robust discussion to ensure that our foreign policy continues to be guided by human rights considerations as we navigate these challenges in the months ahead.”
The Standing Table comprises the following individuals, who represent a diverse set of perspectives from across civil society, who have demonstrated exceptional leadership:
- Payam Akhavan, S.J.D., OOnt, FRSC, Professor of International Law, Human Rights Chair and Senior Fellow, Massey College, University of Toronto; Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague; Associate Member of the Institut de droit international (Institute of International Law)
- Amanda Dale, Fellow, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa
- Farida Deif, Canada Director, Human Rights Watch
- Rachael Kay, Executive Director, IFEX
- Doug Kerr, Executive Director, Dignity Network Canada
- France-Isabelle Langlois, Executive Director, Amnesty International Canada (francophone)
- Sheryl Lightfoot, Professor, Political Science and Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; North American Expert, United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Odette McCarthy, Executive Director, Equitas — International Centre for Human Rights Education
- Donald Nicholls, M.S.M., Director of Justice and Correctional Services, Cree Nation Government
- Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada (English speaking)
- John Packer, Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa
- Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General, Global Centre for Pluralism
- Karine Ruel, Executive Director, Lawyers Without Borders Canada
- Wendy H. Wong, Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair, University of British Columbia
With files from Global Affairs Canada