Raoul Wallenberg All-Party Parliamentary Caucus for Human Rights Champions Legislative Initiative
RWCHR Chair Irwin Cotler - who first tabled a Private Member’s Bill seeking Justice for Sergei Magnitsky - said that the legislation would "put Canada at the forefront of Global Justice and Accountability while combatting the cultures of corruption and criminality, and the impunity that underpin them.”
He added “the legislation is not targeted against any particular country or government, but against major human rights violators who, leveraging the impunity in their own countries, then seek to corrupt and exploit our own governmental integrity, culture, and economy. This legislation will impose visa bans, authorize asset seizures, and protect human rights and the rule of law in Canada, while standing in solidarity with the peoples abroad who are the victims of these cultures of corruption and criminality. It is truly a historic moment of enduring consequence for international justice.”
Cotler paid tribute to Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland for her “singular leadership and dedication to seeing this initiative adopted and commended all parties for working in unison for this objective.” Said Cotler “This shows Parliament at its best - working for the public good - both domestic and international”
Following a major campaign engaged by the RWCHR, the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee issued a unanimous report calling on the Canadian government to adopt a human rights sanctions framework. This important initiative gives expression to the imperative of combating the culture of impunity and holding human rights violators accountable.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland announced the Government's support for this justice initiative, crediting RWCHR Chair Irwin Cotler with its success.
