UPDATE

A special memorial will be held in honour of Naser. Please see below for details:

Date: Friday, March 24th, 2017
Time: 6:30pm
Location: room 2203 Dunton Tower, Carleton University

Light refreshments will be served. 

For more information contact bill.skidmore@carleton.ca or (613) 520-2600, ext. 2359.

The Department of Law and Legal Studies is saddened to hear of the passing of one of its second-year students. Naser Al-Raas, who was working towards a B.A. Combined Honours: Major in Human Rights and Law degree, passed away on September 20, 2016. We send our thoughts and condolences to his family, friends, and to all those whose lives he has touched.

Several faculty members have offered their reflections on his presence and efforts. “Naser is unforgettable,” says Prof. Stacy Douglas. “Always a bright spark of thoughtfulness, intelligence, dedication, and positivity, his professional work fighting for human rights and his charming personality will leave a lasting impression on many people around the world, as well as on the Carleton campus, including me.”

Prof. Melanie Adrian expressed that she was “saddened to hear that the world has lost Naser Al-Raas, one the strongest advocates for human rights. Naser started off as my student and turned into my teacher. His courage and optimism could not be matched. Naser returned to the classroom as a Justice Maker – accomplished people who are making positive change in the world – this last summer.”

The class taught by Prof. Adrian, LAWS 2105 (Social Justice and Human Rights), held its second Justice Makers Film Festival in June, screening the short documentary projects created by students in the class. One project in particular spotlighted Naser (embedded below). As Prof. Adrian notes,  “This is the story the students created to honor him and his work.”