Concordia closes Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies

Concordia University has ended operations of the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) due to “budgetary constraints,” the university says.

The think tank on human rights, conflict and emerging technologies confirmed the closure on social media.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to all faculty, staff, students and partners who dedicated themselves to advancing MIGS’ mission over the years,” Concordia wrote on its website Friday.

“We deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone involved and remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote human rights.”

Concordia says it was forced to make cuts, in part, because it has been in a deficit situation since last year linked to a decline in enrollment. In November, the Montreal university announced it was facing a deficit of approximately $35 million, and that it was looking to cut its overall spending by 7.8 per cent.

At the time, it implemented a salary freeze for its president and executives and dipped into its reserve funds.

But the financial aspect wasn’t the only reason, according to the university.

“At the same time, over the last few years, the academic orientations of Concordia researchers involved in the area of human rights have diverged from the work of the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, meaning that the work of researchers and faculty was different from the projects taken on by MIGS. Researchers have pursued different initiatives and collaborations,” the university told CityNews.

“Given this, last spring, we made the decision to gradually close the MIGS, a phase out that has just concluded.”

Concordia highlighted some of the accomplishments by MIGS researchers, including a project that aimed to prevent mass atrocities through education and policy advocacy, and initiatives that helped combat online hate and extremism.