Guest Speaker Dr Marc-André Anzueto

Why does Canada Care? Contradictions in Canadian Human Rights Diplomacy in Guatemala (1976-2024)

Marc-André Anzueto (Université du Québec en Outaouais)

Friday, November 15, 2024

12:00-1:30pm

Hall Building, Room H-1220

Human rights abuses in the Canadian extractive sector in Guatemala have tarnished Canada’s reputation as an historical ally of transnational human rights advocacy networks. Yet, the Canadian government has maintained an altruistic discourse in Guatemala in the areas of international development, democracy, and human rights. What does it mean for Canada to promote human rights? Why do human rights remain an objective of Canadian diplomacy? How have the discourse and practice of human rights protection evolved since 1976? Based on Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) requests, field work, and interviews conducted in Guatemala, this presentation tries to make sense of the long-standing Canadian support for Guatemalan human rights projects.

Marc-André Anzueto is Professor in International Development in the Department of Social Sciences at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. His research focuses on international relations, Canadian diplomacy, globalization and human rights, extractivism, transitional justice, peace operations, and hip hop culture in world politics.