Cornwall Comes Together for a Powerful Human Rights Day Gathering

On a stormy December 10th, residents filled the Cornwall Public Library for a Human Rights Day gathering that felt less like a formal event and more like a community circle. Led by Farhana Meghji, who guided the evening with warmth, clarity and presence, the event brought together speakers whose lived experience, cultural insight and professional knowledge reflect the diverse realities of human rights work.

The evening was hosted by the Social Development Council with support from the City of Cornwall, Cornwall Police, the Cornwall Public Library and United for Human Rights.

Setting the tone

Farhana opened by reminding everyone that human rights work is really about dignity. The dignity every person deserves, the dignity systems are supposed to protect, and the dignity communities continually hold up for one another. She made it clear that the evening was not a debate. It was a space for listening, learning and imagining what justice and respect look like in practice.

She explained the important differences between three concepts that often get blurred together:

• Human rights: universal and inherent to every person
• Civil rights: granted through laws and different from country to country
• Indigenous rights: inherent, collective rights tied to land, culture and self determination

A land acknowledgement followed, recognizing that the gathering took place on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee peoples and honoring the Mohawks of Akwesasne for their ongoing caretaking of the land, waters and all living beings.

Introducing the panel

Farhana introduced what she called her dream panel. The speakers were:

Abraham Francis, an Indigenous knowledge keeper who works at the intersection of culture, relational teachings and community responsibility.

Robert Coulombe, lawyer with the Roy McMurtry Legal Clinic representing Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, offering a perspective rooted in law and justice.

Liz Quenville, President of the Board of Directors for Diversity Cornwall, representing the 2SLGBTQplus community.

Eric G. E. Gaye, Director of United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights Cornwall Chapters, dedicated to advancing human rights education and empowering communities.

Imam Yousef Vakily, bringing the spiritual and Islamic perspective and exploring human rights through faith, history and scripture.

Human rights education as a foundation

Eric G. E. Gaye spoke first, grounding the room in the lived reality that shaped his work. Growing up in Liberia after years of civil war, he witnessed children working in the streets instead of attending school and young girls exploited by powerful men who faced no accountability. Those experiences convinced him that human rights education is essential.

Eric noted that when he asks people how many human rights exist, often only one in ten knows. That lack of basic understanding, he explained, becomes a barrier to dignity and justice. If people do not know their own rights, they cannot be expected to respect the rights of others. His goal is to make human rights education something embedded in everyday life rather than treated as an annual observance.

Allyship, inclusion and privilege

Liz Quenville spoke about the needs of the 2SLGBTQplus community and what meaningful allyship looks like. She emphasized that the people most affected must be included in every decision making process. She also stressed that rights are meaningless if basic needs such as housing, healthcare and safety are not met.

Liz was clear that marginalized people often do not have the capacity to fight institutions while trying to survive day to day. People with privilege have a responsibility to use their voices, their influence and their access to support those who do not. She reminded the room that every workplace, every school and every family is touched by human rights, and each person has a role to play in ensuring equal access and belonging.

Discrimination close to home

Robert Coulombe provided a legal overview of human rights protections at the international, federal and provincial levels, then described the realities faced by local residents. At the Roy McMurtry Legal Clinic, he routinely sees:

• Landlords refusing tenants because they receive social assistance, which is illegal
• Families being denied housing because they have children
• Workers with disabilities being pushed out of jobs due to lack of accommodation
• Children with disabilities struggling to access the support they are entitled to in school

Robert explained that while legal pathways exist, they are often slow and emotionally unsatisfying for those harmed. He suggested that systems need to be designed with inclusion in mind from the start, similar to the concept of universal design in architecture and education.

Global issues with local impact

Imam Yousef Vakily connected global human rights issues to what communities experience locally. In a world shaped by instant communication, he explained, ideas travel quickly. Harmful narratives such as Islamophobia or suspicion of newcomers can spread across borders and land in small communities.

He also highlighted the spiritual dimension of human rights. Faith traditions teach compassion, moral responsibility and the idea that every human being has value. Laws matter, he said, but morality cannot be legislated. Real change requires people who are willing to stand up for one another because they believe in the dignity of others.

Indigenous teachings and imagining the future

Abraham Francis invited the audience to imagine beyond the systems built through colonialism, capitalism and hyper individualism. As a Haudenosaunee knowledge keeper, he emphasized the importance of roles, responsibilities and relational approaches to community care.

He discussed the teaching sometimes referred to as the seven generations principle and how the future is shaped by the choices made today. He also shared the idea that the coming faces are looking up at us, reminding us to walk carefully and consider the impact of our decisions on those who will come after us.

Abraham spoke openly about the resilience of Indigenous peoples and the need to reclaim cultural teachings that can guide healthier, more compassionate collective action. In a world that rarely gives people space to dream, he said, dreaming itself becomes a form of resistance.

Community voices

When Farhana opened the discussion to the room, several community members shared thoughtful reflections. A woman who had lived under apartheid described how rights without responsibility can become distorted. Another resident suggested introducing Charter based education in childhood to help prevent discrimination. A young man who had fled a war zone spoke about witnessing humanity across cultures and emphasized the importance of teaching children not to harm others.

Cornwall’s official proclamation

City representative Sarah Good read the official proclamation from Mayor Justin Towndale declaring December 10, 2025 as Human Rights Day in Cornwall. She acknowledged her own privilege and highlighted the importance of listening and building relationships in order to foster empathy. She shared a line that resonated throughout the room: all flourishing is mutual.

Closing reflections and gratitude

Councillor Fred Ngoundjo  offered final remarks centered on one idea: love. He spoke about love as a force that breaks down barriers and strengthens human rights. His hope is that Cornwall will become known across Canada as a community where people care for one another and choose respect over division.

Nicole Crellin, Director of United for Human Rights Canada, expressed how deeply moved she was by the event. She has organized Human Rights Day programs for two decades and described this gathering as one of the most real and heartfelt she has attended. She encouraged attendees to take home human rights booklets and explore free educational resources.

Before closing, Eric G. E. Gaye publicly thanked Farhana Meghji for her leadership, encouragement and dedication to building a more inclusive Cornwall. Farhana thanked the community in return and invited everyone to stay, connect and continue the conversations started in the room.

As attendees lingered to talk and share food, one thing was clear. In Cornwall, human rights are not just a legal concept or an annual date. They are something the community is choosing to practice together through storytelling, accountability, education and compassion.