Irwin Cotler

Irwin Cotler, PC, OC, OQ (born May 8, 1940) is a retired Canadian politician, Emeritus Professor of Law, and Founder and Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. He was the Member of Parliament for Mount Royal from 1999 to 2015. He served as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada from 2003 until the Liberal government of Paul Martin lost power following the 2006 federal election. He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in a by-election in November 1999, winning 92% of votes cast. He is noted for his defence of Nelson Mandela.

Cotler in 2017

Quotes

• As somebody who understands the pervasive evil of apartheid, to say 'Israel is an apartheid state' is not only false and prejudicial to Israel, but it undermines the real struggle against apartheid and the integrity of that movement.
  • As quoted in The Jewish Chronicle (27 November 2015), p. 34