Meet the activists

  • Samuel Kisitu

    Samuel Kisitu

    Meet Samuel Kisitu, an activist in exile from Uganda. Born after the Bush War that brought Museveni to power, Samuel's family history is intertwined with Uganda's political struggles. From his grandfather's support for Museveni to his own activism against the regime, Samuel's story is one of resilience and a quest for justice. Watch as he recounts his journey from Uganda to Canada in search of freedom and highlights the ongoing struggle for democracy.

  • Paul Tran Minh Nhat

    Paul Tran Minh Nhat

    Paul Trần Minh Nhật is a Vietnamese journalist and human rights activist renowned for his unwavering commitment to religious freedom and freedom of expression in Vietnam. As a Catholic and former reporter for Vietnam Redemptorist News, he has extensively covered human rights violations and advocated for democratic reforms.

  • Mulugeta Tedla

    Mulugeta Tedla

    Muguleta Tedla is a Tigrayan-Canadian activist and academic, chairing the Association of Tigrean Communities in Canada (ATCC). His activism is deeply personal, having been a political prisoner in Ethiopia during the Derg regime, which led to his refugee status and eventual resettlement in Canada through the World University Service of Canada. At the University of Windsor, he pursued a master's degree in mathematics.

  • Shabnam Salehi

    Shabnam Salehi

    Shabnam Salehi's dedication to women's rights and gender equality has led to remarkable achievements in academia, leadership, legal reform, and activism. Her myriad contributions in Afghanistan and internationally make her a vital figure in the ongoing movement for women's empowerment and human rights.

Commentary & Resources

IN THE NEWS

The Guardian: Canadian police charge three over killing of Sikh activist

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The Hill Times: Redefining the frontlines: the battle for democracy in an era of tran…

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The Guardian: Canadian police charge three over killing of Sikh activist 〰️ The Hill Times: Redefining the frontlines: the battle for democracy in an era of tran… 〰️

Meet the team

Professor Nadia Abu-Zahra
Co-Director

Professor John Packer
Co-Director

Professor John Packer is an Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) at the University of Ottawa. He was appointed the Inaugural Neuberger-Jesin Professor of International Conflict Resolution in April 2018.

See Prof Packer’s full profile page here.

Professor Abu-Zahra is an Associate Professor in the School of International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa, and a member of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre. Prof Abu-Zahra is the Joint Chair in Women's Studies at Carlton University and University of Ottawa.

See Prof Abu-Zahra’s full profile page here.

Dr. Philip Leech-Ngo
Coordinator

Philip Leech-Ngo is a skilled researcher, analyst and communicator with more than ten years of experience as a consultant and academic with a focus on international affairs.

See Dr. Philip Leech-Ngo’s full profile page here.

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