Dear colleagues,
I am addressing you as representatives of the Canadian Association of Human Rights Institutes (CAHRI).
We/HRREC-uOttawa hope this finds everyone alright despite the evident challenges.
It is our observation that the myriad challenges posed by COVID have not so far been addressed by a Human Rights Based Approach nor even much informed by human rights. At the same time, the pandemic has exposed a wide range of human rights problems and exacerbated some of these. We have been disappointed that in some instances our governments have even declined or rejected the suggestion or opportunity to follow human rights norms, standards and methods.
As such, for the 2019-2020 Canadian Yearbook of Human Rights (to be published in summer 2021) we have decided to include a Special Focus section on the Coronavirus and Canada. We are delighted that Alex Neve (until recently the long-time Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada) has agreed to serve as Guest Editor of the section. For the Yearbook (including style guidelines), see: https://cdp-hrc.uottawa.ca/en/publications/canadian_yearbook_human_rights
We hope that each member institution of CAHRI will take responsibility to contribute one paper (of 8-12 pages) on a selected topic or issue; altogether, we would have a good dozen plus an overview. You are entirely free to choose your topic, but we wish no two to cover the same subject matter. From uOttawa, we will address the challenges of COVID for and in prisons and other centres of detention in Canada. The deadline for submissions is 30 April 2021. We will turn them around quickly in view of the summer publication.
Each paper should summarise the problem/situation and including conclusions and recommendations. It may be written on behalf of your Centre/Programme or in the individual name(s) of a person or persons submitting from your institution. We are open to the prospect of holding a Symposium to present and discuss the papers and, if merited, perhaps to submit a joint letter to our governments containing a summary of recommendations.
With a view to this publishing initiative (notably to discuss the Special Focus and possible topics), and also to catch-up on various activities, we are proposing a meeting in mid-February (12, 18 or 19 February). Please respond to this Doodle poll to indicate preferred date and time: https://doodle.com/poll/bzwazefxt4x2ie5c?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
Thank you for your kind attention and ongoing interest. We look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes, John
Prof. John Packer Neuberger-Jesin Professor of International Conflict Resolution
Professeur Neuberger-Jesin sur la résolution de conflits internationaux
Directeur, Centre de recherche et d'enseignement sur les droits de la personne
Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre
Université d'Ottawa | University of Ottawa
Et/and Faculté de droit | Faculty of Law
Pavillon Fauteux Hall 57 Louis-Pasteur, Ottawa,
Ontario, K1N 6N5
Canada
Tél. | Tel: +1 613-562-5800 (3462)
Téléc. | Fax: +1 613-562-5124
jpacker@uottawa.camailto:jpacker@uottawa.ca
@JP_Peacemaking www.cdp-hrc.uottawa.cahttp://www.cdp-hrc.uottawa.ca/