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Welcome to Stories of Hope!

Over the next five weeks we’ll share amazing stories of hope brought to life through the words of inspiring people: Razia, Lina, Mariam, Omar and Anne.

Gender Justice & Women's Rights

Human Rights Defenders: Creating Safe Conditions for Their Work

In Colombia, and many parts of the world, women and men who defend human rights face incredible risks to their physical safety.

What is Courage?

The people with whom Inter Pares works demonstrate profound courage, in their patience, persistence,fearlessness and motivation.

Never has such a tribute been revoked

Aung San Suu Kyi has been silent in the face of genocide. Why revoking her Honorary Canadian Citizenship is right.

The cycle of violence in Burma

Canada must not look at the recent Rohingya crisis in isolation from Burma’s long-standing conflicts.

Inter Pares staff members Samantha McGavin and Rebecca Wolsak (at left and right) with CHRO's Sang Hnin Lian and KDNG's Steven Naw Awng (centre), speaking alongside Chris Lewa to MPs and Senators on Parliament Hill.

Broadening the conversation on Burma

In June 2018, Inter Pares organized a visit to Ottawa of colleagues in Kachin, Chin, and Arakan States, in order to bring their voices to policymakers and promote a comprehensive approach to Burma.

Burma’s Forgotten Wars

Samantha McGavin, Burma Program Manager, shines a light on the country beyond the Rohingya crisis through photos and reflections.

I Am Rohingya: A Genocide in Four Acts

This powerful documentary is about the journey of fourteen Rohingya refugee youth re-enacting their families' harrowing experiences in Burma and beyond.

Statement about the Tragedies of Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine's Deaths

Inter Pares wishes to convey our profound sympathies to the families and communities of Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine.

In the Slums of Manila, Spreading Openness and Acceptance

Mark and Vere are Likhaan Community Mobilizers. They both identify as transgender and work in the slum neighbourhoods of metro Manila.

Building an Inclusive Peace in Colombia

Colombia's peace agreement is historic as it is the most inclusive developed to date. Inter Pares' counterparts were instrumental in shaping the agreement.

Mildrey Corrales (PCS), Mauricio Albarracín and Marcela Sánchez (both Colombia Diversa) with Bill Fairbairn.

Connecting Struggles

Bill Fairbairn, Latin America Program Manager at Inter Pares, draws a parallel between his social justice convictions as a gay man and Inter Pares' feminist priorities.

Plunder in the Borneo rainforest: A Canadian connection?

The Sarawak activists trying to “follow the money” and highlight a number of the factors that give Canada an international reputation as a safe haven for money laundering.

Samantha McGavin joins Amnesty’s Alex Neve and Kyle Matthews of the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies in pressing for stronger Canadian measures. Also on stage: MPs Cheryl Hardcastle (at left) and Rob Oliphant (at right).

Inter Pares speaks out on Rohingya crisis, calls for immediate strong measures

Inter Pares remains highly concerned by the ongoing Rohingya crisis in Burma and Bangladesh, and by the pressing need for stronger action.

We Are All Fundraisers

Inter Pares staff are co-managers, but we also all consider ourselves fundraisers. While that is a role that makes many people cringe, it’s one we embrace!

Building Solidarity One Conversation at a Time

Raising awareness of other realities, learning from others’ experiences, deepening our solidarity ... this is what Inter Pares seeks to do through our public engagement.

Joint statement on violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar

On September 26th, Inter Pares joined 30+ Canadian organizations and human rights activists in calling for further Canadian action on the crisis.

Open letter on national security Bill C-59

40 organizations and individuals from across Canadian civil society issued a joint letter to government that lays out overarching concerns with Bill C-59.

Statement on Latest Violence against the Rohingya Population in Burma

Inter Pares is gravely concerned regarding the latest wave of military violence against Rohingya civilians in northwestern Burma.

A New Vision for Land in Burma

Land is central to many social justice struggles around the world, and it’s no different in Burma. However, ethnic civil society organizations have a new vision for land use.

Return is Never That Simple

Refugees in camps in Thailand are increasingly worried about their futures since many international NGOs are withdrawing their support.

Countering Dehumanization and Hate

Since October 2016, the Burmese army has unleashed a new wave of violence against Rohingya Muslim civilians in the northwest of the country.

Inter Pares concerned with Honduras report

Inter Pares and 23 Canadian civil society organizations concerned with the Honduras report of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor.

Members of CCMW pose with members of Peter Gillespie's family at the presentation of the 1st Peter Gillespie Social Justice Award. L-R: Farhat Rehman, Alia Hogben, Fauzya Talib, Lexxus Gillespie, Letso Gillespie, Lulama Tobo-Gillespie, Kagiso Gillespie.

Canadian Council of Muslim Women inaugural recipient of Peter Gillespie Social Justice Award

CCMW is recognized for their courageous work in advancing women’s rights.

promotional image for Seven: A documentary play

Inter Pares brings acclaimed documentary play to Ottawa

Inter Pares presents the play "Seven," which intertwines seven true stories told by women’s rights activists worldwide.

Gender Justice & Women's Rights

The Kuki Women’s Centre uses ground-breaking restorative justice techniques to address gender-based violence in their communities in Burma’s north west.

Taking a Feminist Approach

As a feminist organization with over forty years of experience, we have seen the transformative results of a feminist approach and we are keen to see it widely used.

Philippines: Stop the extra-judicial killings

Since President Duterte took office, the number of extrajudicial killings has skyrocketed in that country. Inter Pares recently sent a letter to the President in collaboration with a number of other signatories.

Flor Salvador: Witness to struggle and triumph in Mesoamerica

Program manager Guillaume Charbonneau tells us Flor's story and how she grew into her role supporting women's rights movements across Central America and Mexico.

Inter Pares calls for an investigation into sales of military vehicles to the Government of Sudan

Recent reports of sales despite a ban on military exports are profoundly disturbing.

Colombian government delegates and the FARC initiate talks for ending the conflict, in Oslo, Norway.

No True Peace Without the Voices of Women

In late 2012, when Colombia’s government and its largest guerrilla group, known as the FARC, met in Norway to launch peace talks, the only woman si

The Messy Process of Peace

Peace. The word creates serene images of healthy communities. When countries

A Model for Peace: Women building peace in Mali

With the support of ACORD, women and men gathered to learn and share ideas of how to transform national conflict into an authentic and sustainable peace.

Honduran activists appear by videoconference at parliamentary Subcommittee on International Human Right

Quest for justice in Honduras continues

Inter Pares staff continue to monitor the dire human rights situation in Honduras, and to call for justice and accountability.

(L-R) Rachel Vincent of Nobel Women’s initiative, James Cavallaro, Bill Fairbairn from Inter Pares, Jim Hodgson from the United Church of Canada, and Guillaume Charbonneau from Inter Pares.

Crisis at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Inter Pares staff Bill Fairbairn and Guillaume Charbonneau met last Tuesday with James Cavallaro, President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

The Survey of Muslims in Canada 2016

The Survey of Muslims in Canada 2016, supported by Inter Pares as part of our civil liberties work, confronts popular stereotypes by exploring Canadian Muslims’ experiences, opinions, and perceptions.

From the Land: 140 supporters reflect with us on reconciliation

On April 25th, 2016, 140 supporters and activists from Ottawa-Gatineau joined Inter Pares for the 2016 edition of its annual Speakers Series, "From the Land: Reconciliation in action in Canada and Colombia."

First-ever trial on sexual violence during armed conflict in Guatemala

14 Mayan Q'eqchí women demand justice for acts of sexual violence that they endured during the country's internal armed conflict.

Inter Pares begins new program to promote inclusive governance in Burma

In this five-year program, Inter Pares will promote the inclusion of ethnic and religious minorities in Burma’s transition to democracy and peace.

Central American migrants about to board la Bestia (the Beast), the infamous train that will carry them across Mexico.

When staying is not an option

Every year, 80,000 to 100,000 undocumented men and women leave Honduras. The country is rocked by violence, but Hondurans are deemed “economic migrants.”

Karen refugees from Burma play an active role in managing their own camps.

Picture a Refugee

Labels of "refugee" instead of "migrant" have power worldwide, including in Burma, where displaced people have many stories but with common threads.

Burma: Bringing Grassroots Experience to Canadian Policy

In March of 2015, Inter Pares hosted a delegation of four women from Burma to meet with people facing similar struggles, and to share camaraderie and strategies.