CIJA in the News

Questions over anti-Israel past force Liberals’ human rights pick to abandon post (True North)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s appointee to lead Canada’s top human rights office has resigned before taking office, following scrutiny over his past anti-Israel activism.

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August 13, 2024

Embattled human rights chief resigns, as review concludes he ‘intentionally omitted’ name information (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

Jewish advocacy organizations had raised concerns about Birju Dattani's appointment due to past anti-Israel social media posts

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August 12, 2024

New human rights commissioner resigns before starting role (CBC News)

Dattani agreed to go on leave last week — the day before he was set to officially begin his role — following complaints about past comments and actions of his that were called antisemitic by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).

CIJA

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August 12, 2024

Le chef des droits de l’homme démissionne après qu’une enquête a conclu qu’il avait « intentionnellement omis » des informations sur son nom (Actual News Magazine)

Les organisations de défense des droits juifs ont exprimé leurs inquiétudes concernant la nomination de Birju Dattani en raison de publications anti-israéliennes passées sur les réseaux sociaux.

CIJA

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August 12, 2024

Canadian Commissioner Resigns After Israel Comments Probe (Barron’s)

Canada's new human rights commissioner resigned Monday -- before ever starting the job -- after concerns were raised by Jewish advocacy organizations over his past comments on Israel.

CIJA

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August 12, 2024

Trudeau government’s controversial choice to head human rights commission steps down (Toronto Star, + Metroland Media Syndication)

Birju Dattani resigned nearly six weeks after his appointment as the next head of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

CIJA

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August 12, 2024

Newly appointed Human Rights Commissioner resigns after inquiry into allegations of antisemitism (The Canadian Jewish News)

Birju Dattani, who was set to become Canada’s new head of the Canadian Human Rights Commission resigned Aug. 12, after an independent report was sharply critical of his failure during the vetting process to disclose the numerous names he used on social media and in academic speeches.

CIJA

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August 12, 2024

Le tout nouveau commissaire aux droits de la personne démissionne (Le Devoir)

Birju Dattani, qui avait été nommé en juin à la présidence de la Commission canadienne des droits de la personne, a annoncé qu’il avait accepté de démissionner lundi, à la suite d’une enquête sur des commentaires qu’il avait faits dans le passé concernant Israël.

CIJA

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August 12, 2024

EDITORIAL: Virani must reconsider divisive appointment (Toronto Sun, + Postmedia Syndication)

The bizarre story of the federal government’s appointment of Birju Dattani as Canada’s chief commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) took another odd twist this week.

CIJA

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August 09, 2024

Indigenous communities battle for fire safety (Hill Times)

Justice Minister ARIF VIRANI said in a statement yesterday that he is still “considering the matter” of the new Human Rights Chief Commissioner’s controversial appointment.

CIJA

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August 09, 2024

Thank you!