A renowned academic and former UN special rapporteur shared his experience of being detained by customs officials in Toronto while en route to a conference addressing human rights violations against Palestinians. Richard Falk, a retired professor from Princeton University and former special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, was traveling to Ottawa to participate in the Palestine Tribunal on Canadian Responsibility over the weekend.
The event, known as a “people’s tribunal,” aimed to examine Canada’s role in the genocide and displacement of Palestinians, especially in Gaza over the past two years. Falk, who was celebrating his 95th birthday that day, recounted how he and his wife were taken to an interview room by border agents at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport upon arrival. They were questioned about their participation in the conference, Falk’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and other related matters.
Although the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) declined to comment on the specific case due to privacy regulations, they mentioned that secondary inspections are standard for all travelers entering the country. Falk believes his detention was likely linked to his involvement in the conference, where he intended to discuss the application of international law in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Expressing disappointment, Falk criticized Canada for its treatment, stating that despite recognizing Palestinian statehood, the country displayed hostility towards a conference aimed at informing the public about objections to Israel’s actions. Azeezah Kanji, chair of the Palestine Tribunal, condemned the incident and highlighted the efforts made by organizers to secure Falk’s release after receiving a distressed call from his wife.
Senator Yuen Pau Woo, informed about the situation by the tribunal, reached out to the minister for public safety’s office, expressing shock at the treatment of Falk and his wife, both distinguished scholars of international law. The Ministry of Public Safety redirected inquiries to the CBSA in response to media requests for comments on the matter.