Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 16 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 23, 2015

OTTAWA, Thursday, April 23, 2015
(29)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 8:02 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Jaffer, Nancy Ruth, Ngo and Tannas (8).

In attendance: Julia Nicol and Jean-Philippe Duguay, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, the committee continued its study to examine and report on how the mandates and practices of the UNHCR and UNICEF have evolved to meet the needs of displaced children in modern conflict situations, with particular attention to the current crisis in Syria. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 9.)

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Maggie Black, UNICEF Historian (by video conference);

Martin Barber, Honorary Fellow, University of Edinburgh and Former Director, United Nations Mine Action Service (by video conference).

Islamic Relief Canada:

Zaid Al-Rawni, CEO.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Black and Mr. Barber each made a statement and answered questions.

At 9:22 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:23 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Al-Rawni made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:06 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee