Rights City – Montréal, ville des droits humains

The Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies at Concordia University, in partnership with Amnesty International, the Armenian National Committee of Québec and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, are organizing an unprecedented event in Montreal from May 26 to 27, 2017 in conjunction with the city’s 375th anniversary celebrations.

"Rights City/Montréal, ville des droits humains" will be a global event celebrating the role Montreal has played in advancing human rights worldwide. 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.

Advance registration is required – please register online. For more information, please see the Rights City website. 

Rights City will span two days and consists of three major events:

26 May, afternoon
#RightsCity/ Montreal, Ville des droits humains Conference at Concordia University.
Open to all.

27 May, afternoon
The annual March for Humanity and the Prevention of Genocide, which aims to raise awareness of crimes against humanity.
Open to all.

27 May, evening
Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award (private event), followed by a concert open to the public

Program of the Conference (May 26)

12:00 – Opening remarks

Kyle Matthews, Executive Director, MIGS
Alan Shepard, President of Concordia University
Kathleen Weil, Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness
Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal (TBC)

12:45-1:30 – A conversation with human rights champions

Roméo Dallaire, retired senator and general, Canadian humanitarian, author, founder of the Child Soldiers Initiative, and MIGS Distinguished Senior Fellow
Irwin Cotler, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, long time Member of Parliament, Founder and International Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights.

1:45-2:45 – Human rights begin at home: the path towards reconciliation

Manon Barbeau, filmmaker and co-founder of Wapikoni Mobile
Ghislain Picard, Regional AFN Chief of Quebec and Labrador

3:00-4:00 – Promoting Diversity in all its forms

Will Prosper, co-founder and spokesperson for the Montreal-Nord Republik (MNR)
Margaret Huang, Executive Director, Amnesty International USA
Dalila Awada, co-founder of Paroles de Femmes and anti-racism activist
Naja Sahar and Jodie-Ann, Fierté Montréal

4:15-5:15 – Political prisoners and freedom of conscience

Ensaf Badawi, activist and wife of Raif Badawi
Ti-Anna Wang, Chinese dissident and daughter of Wang Bingzhang
Biram Dah Abeid, President of Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement, Mauritanian politician and advocate for the abolition of slavery
Homa Hoodfar, Canadian-Iranian professor (TBC)

5:30 – Closing remarks

Salil Shetty, Secretary General, Amnesty International
Irwin Cotler