Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR)

This difficult year has given rise to new and intensified existing human rights abuses. CLAIHR has worked hard to confront those abuses and, despite working from home and online, we have accomplished a great deal. Read about it in our annual report: http://claihr.ca//up/2020/12/2020-CLAIHR-Annual-Report.pdf

It is disappointing that the Canadian gov denied citizens' petition to #empower the corporate ombudsman (CORE) to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses, by re-asserting its commitment to voluntary human rights compliance measures only. Voluntary measures do not meet Canada's international human rights law obligations. CLAIHR has worked hard this year to push Canada to ensure Canadian corporations don't violate human rights abroad. CLAIHR has advocated for mandatory human rights compliance measures, for greater protections for those who complain about Canadian corporations, and for the Canadian government to take a more active role ensuring Canadian corporations comply with international human rights law. https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details

"As #SCOTUS wrestles with corporate immunity for abuses abroad in @Nestle/@Cargill v. Doe, they may find a parallel Canadian case in which @SCC_eng ok'd corporate liability for complicity in forced labor persuasive." An informative article by CLAIHR's board members Tamara Morgenthau and James Yap drawing parallels between this case and Nevsun. https://www.justsecurity.org//nestle-cargill-v-doe-series/

Mariano Abarca, a Mexican community leader, was murdered after opposing a Canadian mine in his home state. Canadian officials refused to investigate. Mr. Abarca's family, supporters, and community groups fought that refusal to Canada's Federal Court of Appeal, where CLAIHR and the International Justice and Human Rights Clinic at Allard School of Law (IJHR Clinic)received leave to intervene. CLAIHR and the IJHR's factum argues that Canada has an obligation to ensure that certa...in private actorsincluding corporations headquartered in Canada and/or brought into existence under its lawsdo not themselves violate human rights. With many thanks to our outstanding counsel @JenniferKlinck, @JoshuaSealy, and CLAIHR's Advisory Board member @PenelopeSimons1. Read more here: http://claihr.ca/interventions/montejo-v-canada/

This December 6, we remember the 14 women who were murdered for pursuing their dreams at l’École Polytechnique. We remember the countless other women whose lives have been taken by sexist violence in Canada and around the world. We commit to fighting for women and girl's right to be free from violence.#December6... Geneviève Bergeron; Hélène Colgan; Nathalie Croteau; Barbara Daigneault; Anne-Marie Edward; Maud Haviernick; Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz; Maryse Laganière; Maryse Leclair; Anne-Marie Lemay; Sonia Pelletier; Michèle Richard; Annie St-Arneault; and Annie Turcotte.