Rights and Democracy appoints Acting President

TORONTO , Jan. 25 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development ("Rights & Democracy"), a federally funded human and democratic rights advocacy institution, appointed Dr. Jacques P. Gauthier Acting President at a Board meeting held on Friday, January 22, 2010 .

Dr. Gauthier was appointed by the Board to lead Rights & Democracy pursuant to the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development Act. This law provides for the Board to appoint an Acting President to lead the organization until a President is appointed by the Governor in Council. The Government of Canada has initiated a search for a new President.

"We are confident that we will successfully fulfill the mandate from the Parliament of Canada to advocate for and support human rights and to promote democracy around the world," said Dr. Gauthier .

Dr. Gauthier , born in Montréal, is a respected Canadian lawyer who specializes in international law and human rights. He has defended the human rights of children and French language minorities and is a noted international law expert. He was appointed to the Board in 2008, and has served Rights & Democracy as Vice-Chair and Acting Chair. Dr. Gauthier 's biography can be found at http://www.dd-rd.ca/site/who_we_are/index.php?subsection=board&lang=en#Gauthier.

For further information: Dr. Jacques Gauthier at [email protected]