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Minutes of Proceedings

Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR)
44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 5
Monday, March 21, 2022, 6:33 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Ali Ehsassi (Liberal)

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Library of Parliament
• Lara Coleman, Analyst
• Jean-Philippe Duguay, Analyst
Human Rights in Repressive States: The Situation of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists and Media Organizations
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
• Guilherme Canela de Souza Godoi, Chief, Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists
Human Rights Watch
• Farida Deif, Canada Director
Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights
• Yonah Diamond, Legal Counsel
Reporters Without Borders
• Clayton Weimers, Deputy Director, Washington DC Bureau
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the subcommittee on Monday, February 14, 2022, the subcommittee commenced its study of Human Rights in Repressive States: The Situation of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists and Media Organizations.

Farida Deif and Yonah Diamond made statements and answered questions.

At 7:31 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 7:34 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Guilherme Canela de Souza Godoi and Clayton Weimers made statements and answered questions.

At 8:04 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 8:06 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 8:21 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 8:22 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Election of Vice-Chairs
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the clerk of the subcommittee presided over the election of the vice-chair.

On motion of Arnold Viersen, it was agreed, — That Michael Cooper be elected vice-chair of the subcommittee.

At 8:34 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 8:34 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

Committee Business
The subcommittee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to subcommittee business.

It was agreed, — That, given President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine and the growing evidence of human rights violations and war crimes being committed by the Russian military in Ukraine, and given the investigation launched by the International Criminal Court on alleged war crimes, and given the United Nations' International Court of Justice’s recent ruling ordering Russia to cease its invasion of Ukraine, and given the ongoing reports of Russian citizens being arrested and detained for protesting against the illegal war in Ukraine, and given the Russian government’s censorship of Russian journalists and media outlets and propagation of disinformation, the subcommittee undertake and prioritize an urgent study of the current human rights situation in Ukraine and the human rights situation in Russia, specifically the nature of international crimes and mechanisms for holding the perpetrators accountable, and that the subcommittee report to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

It was agreed, — That witness lists for the study of the human rights situation in Ukraine and Russia be submitted to the clerk on Friday, March 25, 2022.

At 8:45 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Erica Pereira
Clerk of the Committee