The following meeting took place on November 30, 2016.
- Introduction by Ali Ehsassi
- MP Ehsassi introduced the GPG
- MP Laverdière made remarks about future directions
- MP Sahota shared her passion for human rights from her background in law
- Call to Order of the AGM
- Selection: Executive Members
- New members ratified unanimously: Moved by MP Wrzesnewskyj and seconded by MP Laverdière
- MP Wrzesnewskyj tabled that Sen. Dallaire be the Honorary Chair because of his tremendous moral authority
- Presentation of the Annual Report
- Financial update to be confirmed in near future
- Motion to increase the membership fee to $40 ratified unanimously
- Agenda for the Year
- Regions and themes of focus
- Emphasis on the prevention of genocide for this year’s program
- Consideration of recommendations from Sen. Dallaire to focus on Mexico, Latin America, and connect with experts from the US administration
- Motion to focus on Aleppo as a case for the upcoming year: Moved by MP Wrzesnewskyj and adopted unanimously
- Important upcoming dates
- Syrian White Helmets arriving December 7, 2016
- Additional Comments and Questions
- Administrative
- It was suggested that the GPG consider the possibility of becoming a joint House of Commons-Senate sub-committee in order to have greater access to resources, while also being aware of the potential delays and restraints that this could impose
- Wilton Park was mentioned as a program in conflict resolution and statehood facilitation that would be helpful for the GPG to examine, especially given the program’s links to the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity
- Defining genocide and crimes against humanity
- Members believed that the GPG should focus on de-politicizing the term genocide and follow international law definitions of ‘Genocide,’ ‘Crimes Against Humanity,’ and ‘Mass Atrocities’ while being sensitive to the historical contexts of these legal definitions.
- The group articulated a desire to facilitate open and respectful dialogue about potential cases of genocide and to educate Parliamentarians about the legal differences between crimes against humanity and genocide
- Members discussed the potential benefits and limitations of the current definition of genocide used at the national level
- Louise Arbour, Irwin Cotler, and Stephen Lewis were suggested as experts who could be helpful in future GPG considerations of the difference between crimes against humanity and genocide
- Adjournment
- Zschogner thanked the members and notified members present of a forthcoming Assessment of Needs survey