New rights organization aims to be ‘voice for humanity’
A new global human rights organization is launching in Canada this fall, aiming to be an international “voice for humanity” and to project the country’s values of “freedom, peace and human rights” across the world.
In a press release, the Abraham Global Peace Initiative — which was founded by Avi Benlolo, a Postmedia News columnist and an expert in Holocaust studies — said it’s setting its sights on “moving the needle” when it comes to combating anti-Semitism, “standing up for Israel” and advancing global human rights, with the help of several Canadians.
“The world as we know it today is in trouble. There’s conflict almost everywhere, on every continent. We’ve seen a rise in racism, discrimination, anti-Semitism,” said Benlolo in an interview with Postmedia News. “What we aim to do, as a Canadian organization, is really project Canada’s voice internationally; we don’t believe (its) voice is sufficiently there.”
The human rights activist and chairman of the organization said that Canada has a lot to offer to the international community, in terms of its beliefs in freedom, pluralism and inclusivity — all of which could be a model for the rest of the world.
The country also has a “good brand” internationally which, he says, is under-utilized when it comes to issues of human rights.
“They want to hear Canada’s voice, they want to have Canada’s opinion, they want to be associated with us,” he said. “And we, in turn, can be a conduit to helping them voice issues.”
The overarching goals or “pillars” of the Abraham initiative include safeguarding freedom and security, creating peace, standing against discrimination, and defending universal rights and freedoms, said Benlolo.
“Whether they be the Uyghurs or the Rohingya … We want to speak out for them as well, and bring their plight to the world,” he added. “We want to advocate at international forums, like the United Nations, and we also want to speak up for religious freedom and strengthen religious liberty.”
According to its press release, the organization aims to “bring Canada to the world,” by developing chapters everywhere, and partnering and collaborating with others globally; as well as “fighting anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.”
It will also be unrolling an educational program, which includes curricula and workshops, and will host plenaries with international speakers across the world.
“Nearly all my extended family was murdered in the Holocaust. I know we cannot rest on our laurels. We need new and innovative approaches to protect our freedom,” said Mark Teitelbaum, the president of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative, in a press release.