Canadian Journal of Human Rights publishes 11th Volume

The only Canadian peer-reviewed academic journal dealing exclusively with human rights research has published its 11^th volume. Founded in 2012 by Faculty of Law professor, Dr. Donn Short, the Canadian Journal of Human Rights: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Law and Policy remains a publication of the Law Faculty Council at the University of Manitoba. Each year, about 20 law students cut their teeth on academic research working for the CJHR as Assistant Editors, Editors, and as Senior Editor, all under the guidance of Dr. Short who continues as Editor-in-Chief.

Produced with funding from the Legal Research Institute, the Law Foundation of Manitoba, and with assistance provided by Carmen Roberge, Faculty of Education and Professional Studies, Université de Saint-Boniface, the CJHR is an internationally recognized journal that attracts scholarship from respected human rights scholars around the world. Publications have included immigration and refugee law, freedom of expression, equality, sexuality and gender rights, international law, criminal law and numerous other issues related to domestic and international human rights.

“As we start our second decade, I can’t help but think back on all of the amazing students who have come together each year to work as a team to fulfill our mandate to promote awareness and discussion of issues of human rights law and policy,” said Dr. Short. “So many of those students have gone on to have a real impact on the respecting of human rights through legal practice, academia and volunteerism and I have maintained contact with many of them. This year’s senior editors, Brayden Gray and Rhiannon Swan, led a wonderful team of student editors and it gives me a deep sense of satisfaction to know that, once again, there have been so many people who are committed to ensuring that this work continues – and that we are here to stay.”

Senior Editors Gray and Swan both graduated from the Juris Doctor program this spring, having both completed clerkships at the Manitoba Court of Appeal. Swan won course awards for highest standing in Torts, Criminal Law and Contracts, and is now articling at Fillmore Riley. Gray served as Vice-President Internal for the Manitoba Law Students’ Association and is now articling at MLT Aikins.  He describes his time spent with the journal as “an incredibly fulfilling experience.”

“I had the privilege of starting as a Junior Editor and rising through the ranks to Senior Editor, said Gray. “Throughout that time, the CJHR has provided me with an eye for detail, an understanding of the academic process, confidence with editing, and an opportunity to lead.”

“I’ve enjoyed my time with the journal so much that I have been trying to find a way to stay involved! My time with the CJHR was truly a highlight of my academic career. I could not recommend it enough to students, and I definitely have already done so.” – Brayden Gray, Senior Editor, CJHR

 Gray also spoke highly of the experience of working with Dr. Short, emphasising his mentorship and guidance. “I cannot express enough how much of a pleasure it was working with him and chatting with him about the journal, law school, and anything else that came up,” said Gray. “Every conversation with Dr. Short has been a conversation I feel glad walking out of. I know he may shake his head at me for making any of this about him, but the journal is uniquely representative of him, and it wouldn’t be the same CJHR without him. He put his trust in Rhiannon and me this past year to keep the ship steady, and it was an honour to do so.”

Being based at a Faculty that houses a graduate program which includes a Master of Laws and a Master of Human Rights degree (with Dr. Short serving as Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies) the CJHR offers opportunities to law students to engage in Human Rights research, which Gray recommends as a way to “maintain their hunger for advocacy and to explore their curiosities.”

“Many of our submissions are highlighting gaps in Human Rights, exploring solutions, advocating for change, and examining unexamined areas,” Gray explained. “Peer reviewers often feel privileged to review our submissions and are excited to see new scholarly articles. I have seen CJHR citations in other journals. This is a highly respected and special journal for many, and I cannot wait to track its progress and evolution.”

Further to that, Dr. Short added, “I am also very grateful to the amazing scholars who support us by sending us their work and who want to publish with us. As we start the next decade, I have some plans I would like to implement to expand the forms of scholarship we publish, both in terms of content and delivery. I look forward to seeing where we are where when this next decade concludes.”

Articles contained in the 11^th Anniversary edition include “Ignoring Complex Identities: Canada’s Post-Ezokola Overzealous Application of Article 1F(a) of the Refugee Convention” by Randle C. DeFalco, “Prosecution as a Tool of Human Rights: Reflections on Dominic Ongwen” by Emil Stanca, “Citizenship, Belonging, and Deportation” by Benjamin Perryman, and “Systemic Discrimination Against Female Sexual Violence Victims” by Karen Bellehumeur.

The full volume is available for download on the CJHR website, along with past volumes.

This year’s editorial board consists of the following individuals:

Editor-in-Chief
Donn Short

Senior Editors
Brayden Gray and Rhiannon Swan

Editors
Julian Brown
Dominique Gibson
Brandon Gray
Keelin Griffin
Stephan Possin
Prachi Sanghavi

Summer Editor
Stephan Possin

Assistant Editors
Sami Bhangoo
Jaspreet Brar
Nicole Golletz
Carly Lafond
Pavel Shetra
Corbin Stewart
Jeremy Tran
Maya Yuel

Story submitted by Faculty of Law.