We, Canadian human rights organizations and advocates, are concerned about the weakening of the rule of law around the world, and the potential abuses involved, as we are seeing in the United States. We are experiencing a dangerous ripple effect that threatens hard-won human rights gains across the world. Canada is not immune to these abuses. We call on all political parties in Canada to commit to defending the rule of law, democracy and human rights here and around the world.
In recent years, international justice has come under attack in many ways. International protection mechanisms are ignored, respect for territorial integrity is flouted and international aid is cut off. Anti-rights movements are gaining ground everywhere. The global consensus on human rights that has taken more than 80 years to build, enabling Canadians to live in peace and security, is in serious jeopardy.
According to estimates by the UN and The Economist Intelligence Unit, more than a third of the world’s population currently lives under authoritarian regimes, which also account for a third of the global economy. This is twice as many as 30 years ago, in a context where multilateralism is necessary to deal with the international crises that have an impact here in Canada: climate change, gender-based violence, pandemics or humanitarian crises.
To avoid the rise of authoritarianism, the party that will form the next government must maintain international aid and exercise proactive leadership to defend the rule of law and human rights in Canada and around the world.
Although Canada generally ranks high in terms of respect for the rule of law (12th out of 142 states according to the World Justice Project’s 2024 index), its performance over the past eight years has been declining. Canada must take all necessary steps to protect the key elements of this rule of law, i.e. a fair, accessible and inclusive system of laws and standards based on the essential values of a democratic society.
The rule of law counteracts abuses of power and protects citizens against arbitrary decisions, corruption and injustice perpetrated by states and non-state actors alike.
History shows that building the rule of law takes time, while dismantling it happens suddenly. Now, more than ever, Canada must refuse to back down from these principles.
Join us in sending a strong message to all candidates and political parties that Canada is committed to protecting the rule of law and human rights at home and around the world.
Signatories :
Lawyers without Borders Canada / Avocats sans frontières Canada
Equitas- International Center for Human Rights Education / Centre international d’éducation aux droits humains
Dr. Amanda Dale, Research Fellow, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa
Prof. John Packer, director of Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC), University of Ottawa
Amnistie internationale Canada francophone
International Bureau for Children’s Rights / Bureau international des droits des enfants
Jaime Pitfield – President & CEO – The Parliamentary Centre / Le centre Parlementaire
Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI), Michèle Asselin, directrice générale
Resilient Societies
Oxfam Canada
Laurent Breault, directeur général, Fondation Émergence
Mission Inclusion
Rainbow Railroad
FrancoQueer
Oxfam-Québec
