The Standing Table brings together a diverse group of civil society leaders and human rights experts to provide advice to Minister Mélanie Joly and senior officials on integrating human rights considerations into Canada’s foreign policy. The initiative is particularly timely as attacks on human rights defenders continue to rise and global geopolitical challenges are rapidly evolving.
Minister Joly emphasized the importance of the Standing Table, stating, “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.”
John Packer, Neuberger-Jesin Professor of International Conflict Resolution in the Faculty of Law, has long experience in the field of human rights. For 20 years, he held appointments in intergovernmental organisations investigating serious human rights violations in conflict situations and has advised on peace mediations and political transitions in over fifty countries. In recent years, he has contributed to major reports on the genocides against the Rohingya, Uyghurs, Ukrainians and Tigrayans and commented publicly on other situations including delivering testimonies before a number of parliaments. Amanda Dale is an international human rights scholar and activist, with a specialization in gender-based violence, access to justice and women's international human rights and she is a recognized spokesperson and on women’s rights and violence against women. Both appointments reflect their ongoing dedication to advancing human rights globally and the esteem in which they are held. They will provide valuable insight benefiting the Minister, her staff and Canada in these challenging times.