Building Solidarity from the Margins – A Human Rights Forum
Many populations in Canada are living on the edge, fighting for equity, safety, social recognition, and economic security. People with intellectual and other disabilities, and Indigenous, migrant, Black African and other racialized people – particularly women and gender minoritized people from these groups – work thoughtfully and relentlessly towards the realization of their human rights. … Continued
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
The world continues to witness active conflict in Ethiopia, Yemen, the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan and of course Russia’s vicious assault on Ukraine. However, as the International Crisis Group notes, war just tells one part of the story: “Yemen’s conflict kills more people, mostly women and young children, due to starvation or preventable … Continued
Join Us at The Human Rights Forum – Free Online Event on December 10th, 2021
This December 10th, join your hosts at the Institute for Research and Development (IRIS) in acknowledging International Human Rights Day by engaging in an opportunity to witness, learn, and dialogue on the road to building greater solidarity and inclusion in Canadian society. This virtual Human Rights Forum will bring you thought-provoking guest speakers and performance … Continued
Nova Scotia Court of Appeal finds institutionalization to be systemic discrimination
In a recent decision the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal has paved the road to addressing the human rights of thousands of Nova Scotians with disabilities who continue to languish in institutions or in community without support. This ruling sent a powerful message that there are fundamental systemic barriers in Nova Scotia that deny equality … Continued
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Today marks the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A day that highlights our shared responsibility to educate ourselves on the tragic history and ongoing impact of colonization of the original peoples of Turtle Island. The recent recovery of hundreds of unmarked graves found at the sites of several former residential schools across Canada, has … Continued
IRIS Statements on Residential Schools
Remembering you… 2022-02-03 – Statement on the former St. Joseph’s Mission B.C. residential school A survey of land surrounding the former St. Joseph’s Mission B.C. residential school has identified 93 sites of “potential human burials”. Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars: “This reawakening in Indian country has allowed us to start the process of healing…forced … Continued
Op-ed : For Canada’s immigration detainees with disabilities, even fewer rights are afforded
“The Trudeau government should shine a cold, hard light on how structural ableism, compounded by legacies of colonialism and systemic racism, are at the root of the immigration and asylum system.”An op-ed by IRIS Managing director, Michael Bach, and Carlos Ríos Espinosa, Senior Researcher and Advocate at Human Rights Watch.
IRIS is Hiring: Communications Intern – Canada Summer Jobs
IRIS is looking to reinforce its communications and online presence. For this purpose, IRIS is looking for a paid Communications Intern, qualified under the Canada Summer Jobs program. Based on IRIS’ 2021 Communications Plan, the Communication Intern will work on two priorities: Developing new communications tools, procedures and strategies Updating and improving current platforms Location: … Continued
Statement on the Cowessess Discovery
IRIS will continue to join other Canadians and Indigenous communities in acknowledging the genocide committed in this country. We will not turn away from the crimes that have been committed against 751 children and possibly some adults, who were found at the location of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan. We stand by … Continued
Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day
IRIS joins all Canadians in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. We are a country of many nations and peoples, and IRIS is growing from our close partnerships with grassroots Indigenous individuals and organizations where we are learning about Indigenous ways of knowing, the truth about the violence of colonialism – then and now and the … Continued
