In 2004, former Prime minister Paul Martin in a speech to the UN General Assembly, proposed “the basis for Canadian policy and action whenever human rights are on the line: to act collectively on the basis of our common humanity.”

What is Common humanity?

Our common humanity begins at home, in how we respond to the needs of refugees in our midst or to the long unanswered demand of Indigenous peoples that their fundamental rights be protected.

Our common humanity spans the world and calls Canada to action in the face of grave human rights violations in countries such as Zimbabwe or China, and compels Canada to lead global efforts to strengthen international laws and institutions that will safeguard basic rights for all citizens of this planet.

Our common humanity demands that Canada reaffirm a commitment to the principle that human rights must and will come first, and can never be sacrificed in the name of national security or in the pursuit of increased trade.

Our common humanity insists that men and women everywhere be treated with equal respect for their basic.