International law and norms play an important role in the international
system. They establish rules for states to follow and thereby help prevent
international anarchy where the strong are able to dominate the weak.
International law is a cornerstone of civil society and through the
century has exerted pressure on governments to respect, among other
thins, non-violent approaches to conflict resolution, to adhere to human
rights, and to protect the environment. The United Nations pledged to
"..establish conditions under which justice and respect for the
obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international
law can be maintained..." to avoid war by ensuring "... the
acceptance of principles and the institution of methods...,": and
to "...reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights...": The
UN and its agencies have had a tremendous impact on both developing,
codifying, and implementing international law. Many Canadians have played
an active role in this process, from areas as diverse as the Law of
the Sea to improving labour conditions and living standards for workers
around the world through the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The following list includes several such Canadians who have had a tremendous
impact on the development of international law.
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Alan Beesley:
Play a leading role in the 91-nation Seabed Committee which declared
the oceans "the common heritage of mankind". Was in the
forefront of negotiations on the Law of the Sea from 1967 to 1982
and led the call for the inclusion of environmental issues I n such
legal negotiations. Was Canada’s representative at the Third
United Nations Law of the Sea Conference, the chairperson the Drafting
Committee, and a member of the six person "Collegium"
that acted as the inner steering committee. Elected to the international
Law Commission, which is the UN’s official law-making organ,
in 1985 in his personal capacity. Served on behalf of the UN as
a whole from 1986 to 1991. |
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| Robert Cox:
Served the International Labour Organization (ILO) from 1947 to
1972. Held the positions of Executive Assistant to the Director-General;
Chief I n the Special Research and Reports division, and Director
of the International Institute for Labour Studies with the rank
of Assistant Director-General. Consultant and coordinator for the
UN University (UNU) Programme on Multilateralism and the UN System.
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Jules Deschênes:
Chair of the ILO Committee of Inquiry on Romania (1989-1991); Chair
of the Canadian Committee of Inquiry on War Criminals (1985-87)
and Consultant to the UN Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian
Affairs in Vienna (1983-1985). Elected member of the UN’s Sub-Committee
on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities,
Geneva (1984-87). Judge on the International Tribunal on War Crimes
in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. |
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William Epstein:
Served the UN in many position including Political Officer in the
Secretariat, Senior Policy Officer, UN Mediator Staff in Palestine
(1948), the Secretary to the UN disarmament Commission (1952-72),
and the Director of the Disarmament Affairs Division (1954-72).
Played an important role in a number of negotiations leading to
the signing of numerous arms control treaties including the 1963
Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963) and the Biological Weapons Conventions
(1972). |
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Gordon Fairweather:
Active in human rights throughout his career. Led the 1986 Canadian
delegation to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. |
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| John Harker:
Canadian representative of the ILO in Canada (appointed 1987). Served
as Advisor to the Chairman of the Governing Body of the ILO. Also
served as a Director of UNA-Canada and as an advisor to Canadian
delegations to the UN General Assembly on Human Rights. |
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| John Humphrey:
Organized the Division of Human Right in the UN Secretariat. Responsible
for the first draft of the Universal declaration of Human Rights
and for guiding the Declaration through the General Assembly. |
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Kalmen Kaplansky:
Director of the Canadian office of the ILO and Special Advisor to
the ILO and its Director-General (1967-80). Active as a delegate
to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), the UN General Assembly, and ILO sessions. |
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| Elisabeth Mann-Borgese:
Advisor to the Austrian Delegation to the Law of the Sea (1974-84). Awarded the UN Environment Prize in 1986.
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| Walter Tarnopolsky:
Distinguished professor and human right advocate. Member of the
UN Human Rights Committee (1977-83). |
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Hon John Whitehouse:
Chief of the Workers’ Education Branch with the ILO (1974-80)
before heading the ILO’s offices in Canada (1980-86). |
