In search of political will: Strengthening Canada’s mechanisms for the domestic implementation of international human rights commitments
The history of domestic implementation of Canada’s international human rights commitments is disappointing, particularly when it comes to economic and social rights. Many countries struggle to live up to these obligations, but few position themselves as a global human rights champion the way Canada does. Over the past 75 years, Canada has neglected to build the necessary legal foundations, government structures, and political will at home to institutionalize human rights and provide accountability to rights holders. We need a new national framework for international human rights implementation.
To support this broad goal, Maytree’s report examines Canada’s national, sub-national, and intergovernmental mechanisms for the domestic implementation of our international human rights commitments.
Countries around the world are establishing new or improved standing structures for human rights implementation known as “National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up” (NMIRF). Maytree’s report documents how Canada’s NMIRF currently functions, how it is falling short when compared to the best practices identified by the UN, and what specific changes are needed.
The way forward will require political leadership, particularly from the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Human Rights (FMHR). Maytree hopes this report will help spur them to action.