THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, May 6, 2024
(52)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:16 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Ataullahjan, Gerba, Omidvar and Pate (5).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Cardozo (1).

Participating in the meeting: Robert Mason and Laura Salter, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 3, 2022, the committee continued its study of such issues as may arise from time to time relating to human rights generally. (Topic: Forced Global Displacement)

WITNESSES:

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East:

William Deere, Director, Washington Representative Office.

United Nations Refugee Agency:

Jose Samaniego, Regional Director for the Americas Bureau (by videoconference);

Rema Jamous Imseis, Representative to Canada (by videoconference).

International Organization for Migration:

Diego Beltrand, Special Envoy of the Director General for the Regional Response to the Migrant and Refugee Flows from Venezuela (by videoconference).

As individuals:

Payam Akhavan, Professor of International Law and Chair in Human Rights, Massey College, University of Toronto;

Fen Hampson, Chancellor's Professor, Carleton University, and President, World Refugee and Migration Council;

Eduardo Stein, Joint Special Representative for Venezuelan refugees and migrants, United Nations Refugee and United Nations Migration Agencies (by videoconference).

William Deere made a statement and answered questions.

At 5 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:07 p.m., the committee resumed.

Payam Akhavan and Fen Hampson each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:03 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:16 p.m., the committee resumed.

Eduardo Stein, Jose Samaniego and Diego Beltrand each made a statement and, together with Rema Jamous Imseis, answered questions.

At 7:55 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Sébastien Payet

Clerk of the Committee