Louise Arbour

Louise Arbour, CC GOQ is a Canadian lawyer, prosecutor, and jurist known for her contributions to the international justice system. Arbour served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was a former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and acted as the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. Arbour also held the position of President and CEO of the International Crisis Group from 2009 to 2014.

After graduating from College Regina Assumpta in 1967, Arbour completed an LL.L. with distinction in 1970 at the Université de Montréal. Arbour was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1971 and to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1977. Over the years, Arbour has received many honorary Degrees from universities such as the University of Western Ontario, Mount Saint Vincent University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Waterloo, the University of Alberta, University of Guelph, and Simon Fraser University.

Arbour's early career includes serving as a research officer for the Law Reform Commission of Canada from 1972-73 and teaching at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University in variety of roles. Arbour was the Vice-President of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association until her appointment to the Supreme Court of Ontario (High Court of Justice) in 1987 and to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 1990.

In 2005, Arbour was awarded the Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights. Arbour was made a Companion to the Order of Canada in 2007, a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec in 2009, and a Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour in 2011. From March 2017 to December 2018, Arbour served as the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for International Migration. In 2023 Arbour was awarded the Sandra Day O'Connor Justice Prize from Arizona State University.

Arbour's life and career were the subject of the fact-based Canadian-German made-for-television movie "Hunt for Justice" in 2005. Currently, Arbour serves as senior counsel for a private practice in Montreal. Arbour is also a member of the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute's International Council. Arbour has three grown-up children: Emilie, Patrick and Catherine.