CRRF Endorses Commissioner Fantino's laying Hate Crime Charges Against Salman
Hossain

TORONTO, July 9 /CNW/ - The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) supports the action of Commissioner Julian Fantino and the Provincial (Ontario) Operations Intelligence Bureau's Hate Crimes Extremism Unit in laying charges against Salman An-Noor Hossain for operating a website and blog which wilfully promoted hatred and advocated genocide against the Jewish community.

While Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, Hossain's website and blog promoted hatred and, more disturbingly, genocide, against an identifiable community. Sections 318 and 319 of the Criminal Code make it a criminal offence to advocate genocide, publicly incite hatred, and wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group. "Freedom of expression is not a licence to promote hate against any community", said Dr. Ayman Al-Yassini, CRRF Executive Director. "Over the past few decades, the internet has become a public platform from which hatemongers spew their messages of hate which threaten civil society. It is our hope that Hossain and other extremists be held fully accountable for their destructive message of hate," added Al-Yassini.

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation believes the charges against Hossain send a clear message to all hatemongers that Canada will not tolerate such venom, and is steadfastly committed to the protection of all members and groups in society regardless of their background.

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation's mission is to shed light on the causes and manifestations of racism, provide independent, outspoken national leadership, and act as a resource and facilitator in the pursuit of equity, fairness and social justice for all Canadians. The CRRF is a registered charitable organization and has Special NGO Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For further information: Aren Sarikyan, Communications (English), CRRF: 416-952-8360; Dominique Etienne, Communications (French), CRRF: 416-952-8171