Human Rights and Trade

It has been 60 years since the acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the decades since, most countries have agreed upon numerous human rights standards and enshrined them into international law. While the standard setting has been ambitious, we still lack ways to enforce many commitments. As a result, many governments routinely violate human rights and their obligations are not fulfilled.

Canada’s commitment to human rights has slipped in recent years, as well. Economic goals have become the main driver of foreign and domestic policies, even at the expense of protecting human rights.  Partners in the global South often say that the best way for Canadians to help end injustice is to push for change in our policies.

We work to advance the enforcement of human rights and economic justice in Canadian foreign policy, be it international trade and investment, or foreign affairs. International human rights law should stand as the moral and legal basis for all of Canada's trading partnerships and relationships abroad.