Political interference in Rights & Democracy By John Gordon Published March 3, 2010    1 Comment

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Much has been written about Rights & Democracy since the sudden death of its president, Rémy Beauregard, the night after a turbulent meeting of its board of directors on Jan. 7.

Until now, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the union representing the workers at Rights & Democracy, has said little about the situation in the public eye. But now the members at Rights & Democracy have been issued an order not to speak to the media without consent from the new president. As the union representing R&D members, the PSAC now feels it must make its voice heard.

Rights & Democracy is an institution created by and reporting to Parliament, and its board of directors and president are appointed by the federal government. In this light, the fact that some board members have intimidated staff and criticized the reputation of international partners should raise concerns for Canadians who believe in fairness, good governance and accountability.

Indeed, the religious profiling of Rights & Democracy's employees on the part of some board members, the intimidation of trade-union representatives and the hiring of an "intelligence and investigation" firm that offers such services as "stalking/infiltration," "surveillance technologies," and investigations for problems like "unionization attempts" are unacceptable.

Furthermore, defamatory allegations against several of Rights & Democracy's partners amount to a campaign to vilify organizations committed to the defence of human rights. Taken together with the attacks against Mr. Beauregard, it is difficult to see how the interests of Rights & Democracy are being served.

Despite grave concerns regarding the situation inside Rights & Democracy and its effect on the agency's reputation abroad, this crisis is not simply an internal matter, but a larger ideological concern with repercussions for all Canadians and the international community.

The integrity of any human rights organization working in fragile, fractured countries depends on its independence and a non-partisan approach to promoting and protecting human rights. The mandate of Rights & Democracy includes the freedom to investigate human rights abuses no matter where they occur.

Over its 21-year history, Rights & Democracy has earned an international reputation for its essential work on issues including women's rights in Afghanistan, sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, civil society development in Haiti, freedom of expression in Burma and the fight against impunity for human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. Last April, Rights & Democracy's efforts to ensure that controversial family law reforms in Afghanistan respected the rights and equality of women received international praise.

Foreign Affairs gave Rights & Democracy an excellent review in its five-year evaluation of the agency released last year—yet another testament to the credibility, need and effectiveness of this institution.

Rights & Democracy was created by an Act of Parliament and it is essential that members of Parliament take responsibility and intervene immediately in order to ensure that Rights & Democracy can fulfil its mandate with the required autonomy and restore its proud, non-partisan place on the international stage.

Rights & Democracy is a public agency providing essential support to courageous frontline human rights defenders around the world. All Canadians can be proud of this organization—their organization—and we hope they will join the PSAC and the growing movement to save it.

John Gordon is national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

editor@embassymag.ca