February 11, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the launch of Canada’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Standing Table on Human Rights.

The promotion and protection of human rights remains an integral part of Canadian foreign policy. Amid growing attacks on human rights defenders and global uncertainty, Canada’s leadership on the promotion and protection of human rights is critical. The Standing Table brings together Canadian civil society leaders and human rights experts to provide the minister and senior officials with independent insight and advice on human rights considerations across all aspects of Canada’s foreign policy.

The members of the Standing Table met with Minister Joly today. It comprises the following individuals, who represent a diverse set of perspectives from across civil society and who have demonstrated exceptional leadership:

• Payam Akhavan, S.J.D., OOnt, FRSC, Professor of International Law, Human Rights Chair and Senior Fellow, Massey College, University of Toronto; Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague; Associate Member of the Institut de droit international (Institute of International Law)
• Amanda Dale, Fellow, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa
• Farida Deif, Canada Director, Human Rights Watch
• Rachael Kay, Executive Director, IFEX
• Doug Kerr, Executive Director, Dignity Network Canada
• France-Isabelle Langlois, Executive Director, Amnesty International Canada (francophone)
• Sheryl Lightfoot, Professor, Political Science and Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; North American Expert, United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Odette McCarthy, Executive Director, Equitas — International Centre for Human Rights Education
• Donald Nicholls, M.S.M., Director of Justice and Correctional Services, Cree Nation Government
• Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada (English speaking)
• John Packer, Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa
• Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General, Global Centre for Pluralism
• Karine Ruel, Executive Director, Lawyers Without Borders Canada
• Wendy H. Wong, Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair, University of British Columbia