Human rights are one of the cornerstones of modern society, embodying key values and ideals that everyone must uphold. Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.” This recognizes that the law is a powerful tool that can be used to uplift and protect marginalized sectors of society. However, the law, if used improperly, can also be used to hurt those who are financially disenfranchised and marginalized people. It’s this reality that inspired Oyeyinka ‘Yinka’ Oyelowo to pursue a career in law, to help ensure Canadians’, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, rights are protected.
According to Yinka, her decision to become a litigation and human rights lawyer was shaped by two foundational experiences. Having obtained an honors degree in journalism from Carleton University in 2013, Yinka joined Cinema Politica, a nonprofit organization for documentary filmmakers focusing on bringing awareness to various issues across society. One of the films screened by Cinema Politica was Silence is Gold, which depicts the negative effects of commercial mining on the environment and various Indigenous peoples. The filmmaker later received an injunction from a lawyer, asking them to cease and desist from moving forward with talking about their film and the negative impacts of mining across South America.
Oyeyinka Oyelowo
“That was my first introduction to the power of the law and the damage it can do when applied unethically,” Yinka says. “The law can be used to stop people from talking about institutional abuses, and marginalized people also need access to legal services to help even out the playing field,”
Yinka shares that the second event that led her to a career in litigation and human rights law was when a young student that she had mentored through the Toronto District School Board’s Focus on Youth Program died after being involved in a gun violence case.
“The incident reminded me of how fragile a person’s life can be, as well as and how poverty, crime, and violence are heightened in certain communities,” she continues. “Despite government efforts to try and get people to grow out of that lifestyle, there’s still issues where death and violence occur, and, unfortunately, justice is far removed for these individuals.”
Yinka then entered Osgoode Hall Law School, one of the most prestigious law schools in Canada, obtaining her juris doctor degree in 2018, followed by a course on workplace harassment and investigation issues from the University of Toronto. After practicing human rights, insurance, and employment law for a couple of years, Yinka decided to found her own law firm in 2021. Establishing a law practice in the midst of the COVID pandemic was difficult, but Yinka says that it was absolutely necessary, due to the large increase in labor and human rights disputes in the midst of an unprecedented global health emergency. These included disability issues, unjust termination of employees, and possible overreach in government restrictions.
According to Yinka, the driving force behind her practice is the hope that the legal resolution of the cases she handles will hopefully help other people who may encounter the same situation in the future. As a result, she is very specific and detailed about the cases she takes on, with a goal of making a larger impact and helping make institutional changes that will bode well positively, not just for her clients but for society at large. Throughout her law career, Yinka has been involved with various community organizations and law profession associations. These include the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (where she was previously secretary), the All-In Media Group Inc., the Black Female Lawyers Network, Pro Bono Students Canada, the Canadian Association for Black Lawyers, and Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights.
Yinka aims to continue helping people from disadvantaged populations, such as Indigenous people, women, immigrants, LGBTQ+, and others, access legal services and justice, as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“I would like to continue on this path of bringing awareness to institutions – both public and private – that violate the law, as well as helping equalize the imbalance between people and institutional power,” Yinka says. “I will also focus more on assisting individuals who are not financially capable of hiring expensive lawyers and give them access to high-quality legal representation, which is a human right.”
