Éloge C. Butera is a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and a well-respected justice and human rights advocate. Since his arrival in Canada in 2002, Éloge has worked tirelessly to rebuild his life and contribute manfully to Canada’s public life – his adopted country. Over the last ten years, Éloge has served as a leading advisor to some of Canada’s most respected public servants, including LGen Romeo Dallaire between 2012 and 2015.  

From 2016-2019, Éloge served as Senior Policy Advisor to Ralph Goodale, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. During that time, he led a number of significant policy initiatives including on countering radicalization to extremist violence, Canada’s strategy against human trafficking, reforming and modernizing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada’s Women Peace and Security Agenda, safer regulations and control of firearms in Canada, among others. 

A graduate of McGill’s Law Faculty, Éloge did his articles with the Honourable/ Professor Irwin Cotler, former Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada. He has served as an advocate and educator on numerous challenging situations around the world ranging from seeking accountability for mass atrocities and genocide in Darfur, to Pakistan’s transition to democracy among many others. In 2013, Éloge was inducted as an Honorary Witness to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Along with 86 other prominent Canadians, Éloge travelled with the Commission, bearing witness to the testimonies it collected. This important work continues to shape a great part of his contribution to Canada’s public life.  

Éloge maintains a healthy positive engagement with Rwanda, whether though the civil society and national legal institutions. In 2009 Éloge served as Summer Law Clerk to former Chief Justice of Rwanda, Professor Sam Rugege. Éloge continues to support Tubahumurize Association, one of the leading Rwandan NGO working to counter and mitigate the impact of gender-based violence in Rwanda.