Should Canada Intervene to Protect Human Rights?

A panel at University of Toronto, September 27, 2012
Featuring
Senator Romeo Dallaire
Senator Art Eggleton
Martha Hall Findlay
and Jon Kay as Moderator

PLUS: A sneak preview of rough cuts from Senator Dallaire’s new documentary with Producer Peter Raymont, “Fight Like Soldiers, Die Like Children.”

On September 27, 2012, CLAIHR will host “International Crises: Should Canada intervene to protect human rights?” a panel discussion to conclude its year-long symposium commemorating the 10th anniversary of Responsibility to Protect (“R2P”).

The R2P is an international doctrine on human rights. The R2P doctrine places the primary responsibility on states to protect their populations from mass atrocities. When the State is unwilling or unable to protect its population the international community has a responsibility to take collective action.

Intervention under R2P doesn’t always mean military measures. It can include preventative diplomacy, fact-finding missions, economic sanctions and embargos as well as operations such as no-fly zones, monitoring and civilian defence missions.

Social and political unrest has resulted in human rights crises in nations — most lately in Syria. On Sept. 27 at the University of Toronto’s Ignatieff Theatre, Senator Romeo Dallaire, Senator Art Eggleton and Martha Hall Findlay will discuss the application of the R2P doctrine, looking at whether and in what circumstances Canada should intervene.

Senator Romeo Dallaire will share his perspectives on intervention from his experience as Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda prior to and during the 1994 genocide. Senator Dallaire disobeyed the UN command to withdraw its peacekeeping forces and remained in Rwanda to protect those who sought refuge with the UN forces. His courage during the mission earned him numerous honours, including the Meritorious Service Cross and the United States Legion of Merit. Since his mission in Rwanda, Senator Dallaire has served on the UN Advisory Committee on Genocide Prevention and as Advisor to the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada and Minister of National Defence. Senator Dallaire was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2005.

Senator Art Eggleton served as Toronto’s longest serving Mayor in Toronto history. Senator Eggleton also served 11 years as a member of the House of Commons and the federal Cabinet where he held several positions including Minister of National Defence. Senator Eggleton will share his thoughts on intervention as he served as Minister during the NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999. In 2005, Senator Eggleton was appointed to the Senate.

Martha Hall Findlay is the former Liberal Member of Parliament for Willowdale. Ms. Findlay held several positions during her time as MP, including the Official Opposition Critic for International Trade. Ms. Findlay is also a successful lawyer, businesswoman and entrepreneur. In addition to her legal and business career, Ms. Findlay has been involved in non-profit and volunteer initiatives including the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs, the Georgian Bay Association and the York Region Community Foundation. She recently authored an important analysis of Canada’s supply management system for farmers.

Jon Kay, Managing Editor of the National Post, will serve as moderator of the discussion.

Event Details

September 27, 2012 6:30-8:30 PM
Ignatieff Theatre, Toronto