ArchivesJohn P. Humphrey, Canadian Human Rights Architect

An enormous contribution to international law

In 2001, the show Montreal tonight asks viewers if there are people whose memory should be honored in Montreal by erecting monuments to them.

Reynald Adams suggested to journalist Jean-Hugues Roy in a June 22 broadcast that Montreal should honor one of its adopted citizens, John P. Humphrey.

According to Reynald Adams, a statue erected in honor of John P. Humphrey will recognize this jurist’s tremendous contribution to the field of human rights defense.

In 1948, he wrote the preliminary draft of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. John P. Humphrey probably used the term “human rights” when he was writing the document today.

This document, officially adopted on December 10, 1948, forms the foundation on which the UN system for the protection of fundamental human rights was subsequently built.

But John P. Humphrey did not stop there.

Until 1966, he was the first head of the United Nations human rights division.

During this time, he authored 67 international conventions protecting various aspects of human rights.

As if that wasn’t enough, he also wrote the constitutions of 12 countries.

At the same time, he is part of several commissions of inquiry into human rights violations around the planet.

Notice in this chapter her fight for Korean women, who were used as sex slaves by the Japanese army during World War II, to receive compensation.

Reynald Adams said the City of Ottawa honored John P. Humphrey with a commemorative plaque unveiled in 1998 by none other than Nelson Mandela.

Montreal had already considered honoring the jurist, during the fiftieth anniversary of the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1998.

The project, however, fell into oblivion.

Reynal Adams offers to revive the project.

He wanted to build a commemorative monument at the corner of avenue du Parc and avenue des Pins. Or let’s rename Avenue des Pins to Avenue John Humphrey.

A positive lawyer …

On December 10, 1963, the broadcast Today asked John P. Humphrey about the impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the occasion of 16^at anniversary of his adoption.

He is optimistic.

Although the Universal Declaration could not impose barriers on the States, it nevertheless had a profound influence on the development of international law, as well as on the national law of certain countries.

John P. Humphrey then mentioned the names of several countries in Africa that have incorporated the principles of the Universal Declaration into their own national laws or into their constitutions.

… But who always wants to go further

” If we can’t find a way, adequate and effective enforcement mechanisms like we have in Canada, for example […] I say that this planet has no future. “

On December 10, 1988, the international community celebrated its 40th^at anniversary of the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The host of the show Impact, Robert Guy Scully received John P. Humphrey on this occasion.

The lecture focused in part on the beginning of the elaboration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This document, which represents the “common goal to be achieved by all peoples and all nations”, sets out a wide range of rights covering all aspects of life.

Its first article summarizes the idea of ​​basic human rights in a phrase that has become popular.

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. “

John P. Humphrey taught that he went very far in his definition of fundamental rights.

He even included in his draft ideas of economic, social and cultural rights.

For example, he insisted on integrating the notion of the right to enjoy cultural access for all people.

In response, several United Nations member states, including the United States, accused him of being a communist.

It was also recalled in the interview that the government of Canadian Prime Minister Louis Saint-Laurent initially stood against the draft Universal Declaration because it strayed too far from its definition of rights.

It was only when Canada realized that this attitude put it on both sides of the communist countries that it changed path and voted for ratification of the Declaration.

Implicit throughout the interview, John P. Humphrey asserted that his generation only created the conditions necessary to promote basic human rights.

It is up to the younger generation to develop mechanisms for applying the principles set out in the 1948 Declaration.

Far from being an idealistic position, respect for human rights, according to him, is a very realistic position.

John P. Humphrey sees an insurmountable connection between respect for fundamental rights and the maintenance of world peace.

Without respect for human rights, without implementing mechanisms for their application, the judge fears that the future of the planet will be compromised.