Louise Arbour, C.C., G.O.Q. Closed Now

Louise Arbour is a Canadian lawyer, jurist, and diplomat who has left a lasting legacy in the fields of transitional justice, international criminal law, and human rights protection. Her career reflects a rare combination of judicial excellence, prosecutorial leadership, and international diplomacy.

Arbour first rose to global prominence when she was appointed as the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) from 1996 to 1999. During her tenure, she brought forward landmark indictments, including against former Serbian President Slobodan Milošević, the first sitting head of state to be indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Her prosecutorial work helped establish the principle that even the highest political leaders are not immune from accountability.

Following her role in international justice, Arbour served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada (1999–2004), where she contributed to the advancement of constitutional law, civil liberties, and the protection of minority rights in Canada.

From 2004 to 2008, Arbour became the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, where she championed transitional justice as a critical element in post-conflict recovery. She addressed pressing global crises, including in Darfur, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East, often taking bold and sometimes controversial stances to defend victims and demand accountability.

After her UN role, Arbour continued her international service, including as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on International Migration (2017–2018), where she played a key role in shaping the Global Compact for Migration.

Throughout her career, she has been recognized with numerous honors, including being named a Companion of the Order of Canada, for her extraordinary contributions to law and human rights.

Louise Arbour’s work embodies the ideals of transitional justice: combining accountability, truth, and human dignity in the pursuit of peace and justice.