#RightsCity 2018 / Montreal, #droits humains, 2018

Following the success of last year’s event, “#RightsCity” is taking place again in 2018! Organized by the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies at Concordia University, Amnistie internationale Canada francophone, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and the Armenian National Committee of Québec, the aim of this large-scale event is to discuss and celebrate the role of Montreal in advancing human rights. As one of the oldest and most inclusive cities in North America, Montreal can boast of a long history of encouraging diversity, protecting human rights and offering shelter to people fleeing persecution. The #RightsCity Conference convenes thought-leaders and human rights activists to discuss current human security challenges and the role Montreal can play to defend and promote tolerance. This the conference will focus on the rise of populism, the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly women’s rights, and shine light on women human rights activists. 3rd June : Annual March for Humanity and Against Genocide brings together Montrealers from all communities to march for human rights. 4th June: #RightsCity Conference – 10 am – 4 pm 1. The Rise of Populism Marty Castro, Chair of US Commission on Civil Rights under the Obama admnistration. John Judis, author and American journalist, an editor-at-large at Talking Points Memo, a former senior writer at The National Journal and a former senior editor at The New Republic. Author of “The Populist Explosion” 2. Defending Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Making the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples a Reality Me Maire-Eve Bordeleau, commissioner of Indigenous affairs for the City of Montreal Viviane Michel, president of Quebec Native Women (QNW). Chair: Karine Gentelet, President of Amnistie internationale Canada francophone and professor at the Université du Québec en Outaouais 3. Women Human Rights Defenders : Women Rise Up Professor Homa Hoodfar, Canadian-Iranian professor jailed in Iran for 112 days Ketty Nivyabandi, Nobel Women’s Initiative, Burundi Rehana Hashmi, Women PeaceMakers, Sisters Trust Pakistan 4. The Magnitsky Act: Holding Leaders Accountable Irwin Cotler, Founder and Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and defender of the Magnitsky Act. 5. Keynote address Thomas Mulcair, Canadian politician, MP and former leader of the NDP