Foreign Affairs committee  I think the implications are very grave. I say that not at all naively or suggesting that the world is awash with many other countries that have a stellar record. Obviously, we can look across the planet and find many countries that are similarly pursuing foreign policy in ways

Foreign Affairs committee  I share the concern that our standing and the things we're achieving concretely as a nation with respect to human rights are indeed not what they once were. In answer to your question as to bilateral, multilateral and what kinds of strategies, I think it's all of the above. That

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you so much, Mr. Ehsassi, and, as we're into the evening, good afternoon and good evening, committee. This study of Canada's diplomatic capacity certainly comes at a crucial time. Harrowing crises in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Myanmar, a list that goes on, s

Foreign Affairs committee  I think it needs amendment, but I think amendment to improve it.

Foreign Affairs committee  It's a good question, and I wish I had the answer. I think your last point there is certainly a consideration, and I think it's a legitimate consideration that coordination with other countries, while it should not be the reason not to impose sanctions—I have too many “nots” the

Foreign Affairs committee  Absolutely. With respect to cluster munitions, I've done field research in a number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa. I've interviewed the survivors of cluster munitions attacks. I have seen unexploded and exploded cluster munitions on the ground. They are odious. They belong

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you very much. You've summarized very well that there are times when publicity is absolutely the best strategy and times when it is perhaps not, even for civil society. I think there's an assumption that civil society is always full throttle to take everything very public,

Foreign Affairs committee  Dong Guangping in two minutes.... Dong Guangping is an incredible Chinese human rights defender who has been imprisoned three times in China because of his advocacy, a lot of which has been related to Tiananmen Square. He and his wife and daughter escaped from China in 2015. He

Foreign Affairs committee  I think that absolutely a description of those kinds of initiatives would be really important. I would take one step back and say that it would be even stronger if it were on the basis of some sort of strategy that was developed. I think that right now, even when when there are g

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Bergeron. That's a good reminder of the work on William Sampson's case more than 20 years ago. I think it does remind us that there are times when publicity is not necessarily in the strategic interests of the prisoner concerned. With respect to the Ma

Foreign Affairs committee  With respect to China, it's broader than just around the Magnitsky act, and it's nothing limited to this government. It's something we've been concerned about, whoever is in power. There is a reluctance to hit hard when it comes to China. China has clout and influence, which make

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thought you were going to suggest you would be taking a selfie of us or something. It's a pleasure to be here with you as you look at this important legislation. Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights almost 75 years ago, states

Justice committee  Go ahead, Joanna.

Justice committee  I will build on that by saying that I think your concern is well placed. I think, as Professor Harrington is saying, it's reflective of a broader weakness about ensuring there are strong human rights protections and safeguards. I think what you're highlighting—the concern about

Justice committee  I think that's exactly right. International human rights concerns need to be taken very seriously and not be just part of a political discretionary process, which is why we feel those need to be with a judge. Professor Currie may want to build on that as well.