Special Forum on Race, Discrimination and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in North America

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights & the Faculty of Law of McGill University present a Special Forum on Race, Discrimination and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in North America.

The chair, Commissioner José de Jesús Orozco Henríquez (Mexico, rapporteurship on human rights defenders), Commissioner Rose-Marie Belle Antoine (St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago, rapporteurship on the Rights of Persons of African Descent and Against Racial Discrimination) and Commissioner Dinah Shelton (U.S., rapporteurship on the rights of indigenous peoples) will be in attendance.

This event is supported by the Faculty of Law and the Labour Law and Development Research Laboratory.

Registration is free: please email Mr. Hilaire Sobers (osobers [at] oas.org). Registration will also be accepted on the day of the event, space permitting.

Agenda

FRIDAY, 22 November 2013

8:30 – 9:00 AM Registration of participants

9:00 – 9:30 AM Opening remarks:

• Dean Daniel Jutras, Faculty of Law, McGill University
• Commissioner José de Jesús Orozco Henríquez, President, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

9:30 – 11:00 AM Keynote speech: Setting the stage – an overview of race, discrimination and ESC in North America

• Commissioner Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, IACHR Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons of African Descent and Against Racial Discrimination Head – IACHR Unit on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Discussants:

• Prof. David Austin, Vanier College
• Prof. Joanne St. Lewis, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
• Ms. Maria Clara Galvis – Due Process of Law Foundation

11: 00 – 11:15 Break

11:15 – 12:45 PM Race and the criminal justice system

Presenters:

• Mr. Fo Niemi, Centre for Research and Action on Race Relations
• Mr. Carlos Quesada, Global Rights
• Ms. Katya Salazar, Due Process of Law Foundation
• Prof. Alana Klein, McGill University

12:45 – 2:15 PM LUNCH

2:30 – 4:00 PM Discrimination against indigenous peoples in North America

Chair and Commentator:

• Commissioner Renée Dupuis, Vice-President, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Presenter

• Commissioner Dinah Shelton, IACHR Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

Discussants:

• Prof. Bernard Duhaime, Université du Québec à Montréal
• Representative of the Native Women’s Association of Canada
• Prof. Kirsten Anker, McGill University

4:00 – 4:15 PM Break

4:15 - 5:45 PM Race and discrimination in matters of health, housing and education

Presenters:

• Prof. Grace-Edward Galabuzi, Ryerson University
• Ms. Margaret Parsons, African Canadian Legal Clinic
• Prof. Martin Gallié, Université du Québec à Montréal

SATURDAY, 23 November 2013

9:00 – 10:30 AM Race discrimination in the workplace

Chair and commentator:

• Prof. Adelle Blackett, Faculty of Law, McGill University & Commissioner, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Discussants:

• Prof. Marie-Thérèse Chicha, Université de Montréal
• Ms. Natalicia Tracy, National Domestic Workers Alliance
• Prof. Dalia Gesualdi-Fecteau, Université du Québec à Montréal

10:30 – 10:45 Break

10:45 – 12:15 PM Race and religious accommodation in the workplace

Chair and commentator:

• Mr. Jacques Frémont, President, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Discussants:

• Prof. Vrinda Narain, Faculty of Law, McGill University
• Ms. Pearl Eliadis, lawyer, human rights expert
• Mr. Julius Grey, lawyer, human rights expert
• Mr. Mohamed Jama, Midaynta Community Services

12:30 -1:00 PM Final Reflections