The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the appointment of Payam Akhavan, Jacques Gauthier, Jean Guilbeault and Elliot Tepper to the Board of Directors of the Montreal-based International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Rights & Democracy).
"Rights & Democracy contributes to Canada's objectives of promoting democracy and human rights abroad," said Minister Bernier. "The new Board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise in human rights and democratic development. I am confident that they will make a significant contribution to the work of this important Canadian organization."
Rights & Democracy is a non-partisan organization with an international mandate. It was created by Parliament in 1988 to encourage and support the universal values of human rights and to promote democratic institutions and practices around the world.
For more information on Rights & Democracy, consult its website at www.ichrdd.ca
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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
Payam Akhavan is an associate professor of Law at McGill University. He teaches and researches in the areas of public international law, international criminal law and transitional justice. He has a particular interest in human rights and multiculturalism, war crimes prosecutions, UN reform and the prevention of genocide. His experience includes being the first Legal Advisor to the Prosecutor's Office of the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. He is also the author of the Report on the Work of the Office of the Special Advisor of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide (2005). Mr. Akhavan holds a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree from Harvard University.
Jacques P. Gauthier was called to the Ontario Bar in 1976 and has had a diverse practice in areas including public and commercial international law, corporate and commercial law, immigration law and trademark law. In addition, he has served as legal counsel to the governments of Ontario, France, Spain and Mexico. His achievements include co-founding the Canadian Foundation of Children, Youth and Law (Justice for Children). Mr. Gauthier holds a doctorate in International Law from the University of Geneva, and was named a Chevalier of France's Ordre nationale du Mérite.
Jean L. Guilbeault, QC, has practiced civil law, Quebec and Canadian labour law, commercial law, aeronautical law, and corporate and statutory law for almost 40 years, and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1984. In addition, he is a mediator for the Québec Bar and has served as Vice Chairperson for the Canada Industrial Relations Board. An active speaker and writer on legal matters, his specialties include the Canada Elections Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In 1992 and 1993, Mr. Guilbeault studied electoral processes in Mali and Yemen on behalf of the Secretary of State for External Affairs.
Elliot L. Tepper is a professor in Carleton University's Department of Political Science and Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. He is an expert on international human rights, and is active in the fields of human rights and race relations. He has led pioneering studies on race relations and cities, on effective public policy in managing diversity and on visible minorities and gender issues, and has helped shape public policy in Canada and abroad. He has significant expertise on emerging and illiberal democracies and has produced studies on human rights in several states. Mr. Tepper is active with human rights organizations, especially in Asia.
