Human rights - University of Toronto Magazine

Coloured pencil and graphite illustration of professor emeritus John Polanyi

Faith in Science

The scientific community gives me hope for a future where the rule of law wins over “rule by might” Read More

Black and white photo of Jiavet Ealom in a long black overcoat standing knee-deep in an open body of water with his hands in his pockets.

Journey to Freedom

The inspiring and courageous story of fourth-year student Jaivet Ealom, who fled a brutal regime and found refuge in Canada Read More

Photo of Tahmid Khan in a white T-shirt looking at the camera with a serious expression, shot in a studio against a bluish white background

The Truth Saved My Life

A picture that circulated in the aftermath of an attack led to my wrongful imprisonment. My friends and family – and U of T – helped free me Read More

In the foreground, a family of five, with two young girls and a toddler in a stroller, stand facing the border gates in the background. An elderly couple and another adult stand a few feet away also facing the gates.

What Do Borders Really Do?

Lines on a map confer advantages on some and exclude others. This serves political needs, but is it morally just? Read More

IV bags hanging from dollar signs that are, in turn, hanging from an IV pole

In Sickness and in Health

What happens when someone with precarious immigration status needs emergency care? Read More

Photo of Petra Molnar standing next to a window in front of a desk, with a bookshelf in the background

Computer Says “No”

U of T’s Petra Molnar warns that the use of AI in immigration decisions could infringe on the human rights of migrants Read More

An opened notebook with a barbed wire binding shows a mother and daughter behind a 5x7 grid of boxes, with eight boxes marked randomly with a red 'X'

Immigration Detention

When it comes to who can be detained, and for how long, there is much discretion Read More

Three children playing in a playground next to a building with a white picket fence with an entrance shaped like a hand

The Freedom to Learn

Toronto schools aim to provide a safe space for children, regardless of citizenship status. But there are flaws that need to be addressed Read More

Illustration of a hand holding a medical kit above a crowd of people.

Is Health a Human Right?

Recent cases in international law suggest the idea is gaining momentum Read More

U of T’s World Wide Web

The university’s scholars are collaborating with partners in every region of the globe to answer questions that challenge us all Read More

Photo of woman with a megaphone at a protest.

Revolutionary Road

Forty years ago, an intrepid group of professors and students sparked progress for women across U of T Read More

The Watchman

Human rights researcher Samer Muscati helps Iraqis find justice in a nation beginning to rebuild Read More

Warnings from the Red-Light Districts

Katie Palmer helps protect youth from sex tourists in Southeast Asia Read More

Close up of pride flag being waved by a person among a group of people on a street

The March to Equality

40 years of sexual equality rights in North America and around the world Read More

Breese Davies

“The privilege of living and working in Canada comes with the duty to protect the fundamental rights of the most vulnerable.” Read More

Religion Versus the Charter

Canada's commitment to multiculturalism is being tested in new and unexpected ways Read More

Freedom to Surf

The Citizen Lab at the Munk Centre takes on growing worldwide Internet censorship and surveillance Read More

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 25: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Center for International Human Rights presented its annual Global Jurist Award to Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella of the Supreme Court of Canada on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 during a reception and dinner in the Bluhm Legal Clinic on the Chicago campus of Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. The Global Jurist of the Year Award is granted annually to a judge in recognition of their contribution to the advancement of human rights or international law. (Photo credit: Randy Belice for Northwestern Law)

Just “Rosie”

How does Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella find time to be an author and pianist and a judge? "Every day is a gift," she says. "I do what I can to make the most of it" Read More