Canada Campaigns

Canada: Implementation of UNDRIP is now the law

LRWC calls upon all Canadian authorities to ensure prompt action to implement Canada's Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples [UNDRIP]. The Act is now the law in Canada. The Act received Royal Assent on 21 June 2021 after being passed by the Senate on 16 … [Read more...]

Canada must conduct thorough, independent investigation of all undocumented deaths of Indigenous children | Statement

• International law obligation for thorough, independent investigation • Implement UNDRIP and TRC Calls to Action • How Canadians can help Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) shares in the grief of Indigenous colleagues and communities after the announcement on 23 June 2021 of 751 … [Read more...]

Canada’s Senate must immediately pass Bill C-15: UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) calls on Canada's Senate for immediate passage of Bill C-15, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. LRWC welcomes the House of Commons passage if the Bill on 25 May 2021 on Third Reading. In 2015 Canada's Truth and … [Read more...]

Attend LRWC’s Annual General Meeting 7th May 2021: Keynote speaker Marjorie Cohn | Event

Register to attend the online AGM CPD credit available for Keynote presentation (BC and Ontario lawyers) Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada plans to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) Friday 7 May 2021, 1 pm Pacific time (4 pm Eastern). This year’s AGM features keynote speaker … [Read more...]

Canada: Indigenous Nations, organizations and individuals support federal implementation of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples | Open Letter

Full PDF (ENG) Full PDF (FR) LRWC signed an open letter published this week in The Hill Times. The letter was signed by 37 Indigenous Nations and governments and other organizations, and 125 human rights advocates, calling for the timely passage of Bill C-15, the proposed federal legislation to … [Read more...]

Yemen: UN Security Council should refer Yemen situation to the ICC: Oral Statement, 46th Session, UN Human Rights Council | Oral Statement

Full PDF (ENG) Direct link to LRWC statement Link to full debate Organization: Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada Item: Item 2: Oral Update of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen Date: 25 February 2021 Speaker: Catherine Morris Oral Statement to the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights … [Read more...]

In memoriam: Joe Arvay, O.C, O.B.C, Q.C. (1949-2020)

Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada is saddened by the passing of Canadian lawyer Joe Arvay on 7 December 2020. Joe Arvay was a giant in Canada’s civil rights and human rights community and was recognized for his contributions by being invested as an Officer in the Order of Canada. Joe Arvay was counsel on … [Read more...]

Defending Defenders: The Right to Know Rights | The Advocate, January 2021

"Defending Defenders: The Right to Know Rights," by Catherine Morris, The Advocate, January 2021. Abstract: The first two decades in this millennium have seen dramatic increases in risks to those reporting or protesting rights violations or advocating human rights, particularly in relation to … [Read more...]

Doing the two-step on uneven platforms: Successes and setbacks of human rights advocacy

First published by Slaw.ca, Canada's online legal magazine, on 30 December 2020 Human rights advocates are sometimes asked whether human rights advocacy works. Most human rights defenders answer in the form of anecdotes, because empirical research on effectiveness is scarce in a world where human … [Read more...]

A request for your support for Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada: A letter from the Executive Director

Dear friends and colleagues, 2020 has been a year unlike any other. In a time when we have experienced a global pandemic and widespread political conflict, the protection of international human rights has become increasingly crucial. This year has also been a year of solidarity and political … [Read more...]