Irwin Cotler, born on May 8, 1940, is a prominent Canadian lawyer, politician, and human rights advocate. He served as a Member of Parliament for Mount Royal from 1999 to 2015, representing the Liberal Party of Canada, and was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada from 2003 to 2006 under Prime Minister Paul Martin. During his tenure, Cotler launched Canada's first National Justice Initiative against Racism and Hate and initiated the first-ever prosecution under Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act for the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda. Prior to entering politics, Cotler was a distinguished law professor at McGill University, where he directed the Human Rights Program from 1973 until 1999, and worked as an international human rights lawyer, serving as counsel to prisoners of conscience. He is renowned for his lifelong commitment to combating antisemitism, preserving Holocaust remembrance, and advancing global justice. In November 2020, he was named Canada's Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism. He founded and chairs the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and has been affiliated with organizations such as the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. Described as a champion of justice, Cotler has been involved in numerous high-profile cases, including anti-terrorism advocacy, and continues to influence policy as an emeritus professor and public intellectual. His career spans academia, government, and non-governmental organizations, earning him honors such as Companion of the Order of Canada (O.C.) and Officer of the Order of Quebec (O.Q.). Cotler's work emphasizes peace, human rights, and international law, positioning him at the forefront of efforts to address genocide, hate crimes, and authoritarian regimes worldwide.