Canada is placing international law and humanitarian protections at the centre of its agenda at the United Nations, even as critics argue Ottawa needs to take a firmer public stance against countries accused of violating those principles.
Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, David Lametti, said the international legal order is facing increasing pressure from both major and regional powers, with civilians, aid workers and UN personnel continuing to be caught in conflicts around the world.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Lametti said international humanitarian law is being weakened through repeated violations rather than direct attacks on the legal framework itself. He argued that countries committed to the rules-based international order have a responsibility to call out such actions and work together to preserve global legal standards.
Lametti, a former law professor like Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, said Canada is well positioned to help defend and strengthen international law by working alongside other middle powers through coordinated statements and diplomatic efforts at the United Nations.
His remarks come as legal experts, human rights advocates and former federal ministers have questioned whether the federal government has been forceful enough in responding to alleged breaches of international law.
Former Canadian diplomat Sabine Nolke said international law is facing direct challenges in several global forums and argued Canada should speak out more clearly against violations, regardless of which country is responsible. She pointed to concerns over changes to human rights language at the United Nations, shifting U.S. positions on international norms, and recent military actions in the Middle East.
Nolke also argued Canada has been too cautious in publicly criticizing allies, including the United States, over actions she believes raise questions under international law. She said Canada should make greater use of joint statements with like-minded countries to reinforce humanitarian principles while maintaining diplomatic relationships.
Lametti maintained that international law continues to carry significant influence because governments still seek to justify their actions within its framework, even when those actions are widely contested. According to him, that continued reliance on legal arguments demonstrates the enduring importance of the international rules-based system.
Critics, however, argue that legal principles must be backed by consistent public accountability. They warn that if Canada does not more actively defend international law abroad, it could weaken its own ability to rely on those same rules should its sovereignty or national interests come under future pressure.
