Justice Minister Delays Appointment of New Human Rights Commissioner Following Review

August 8, 2024 TruthUSA

Justice Minister Arif Virani has announced that incoming human rights commissioner Birju Dattani has agreed to take leave just one day before his expected start date at the Canadian Human Rights Commission. This decision comes as Virani evaluates the results of an independent review of Dattani’s appointment.

Virani initiated an investigation into Dattani’s past behavior in June after concerns were raised by Canadian Jewish organizations regarding now-deleted social media posts made by Dattani under an alias during his time as a graduate student in London. Additionally, his participation on a panel with a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a group known for its Islamic fundamentalist beliefs, was also a point of contention.

“While I carefully consider this matter, Mr. Dattani has agreed to take leave at this time,” Virani stated in an Aug. 7 statement. “I will have more to say in the coming days. Maintaining the confidence of all Canadians in the CHRC and its Chief Commissioner remains my top priority.”

Virani confirmed that the review was carried out by Toronto law firm Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP.

Dattani has not responded immediately to a request for comment. He has previously stated that the allegations against him are baseless.

“I stand firmly behind my track record,” he expressed in a June statement. “I am confident that the investigation will uphold my longstanding dedication to human rights.”

Dattani’s lawyer, Muneeza Sheikh, stated in a statement that her client has been unfairly targeted by a few organizations seeking to discredit him.

She also mentioned that Dattani, the first Muslim to hold this position, is prepared to defend against any attempts to remove him.

Shimon Koffler Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, expressed satisfaction with the Minister’s emphasis on the office’s integrity and eagerly awaits the outcome of the investigation.

The Centre, in conjunction with other Jewish advocacy groups such as the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, urged the government to reevaluate Dattani’s appointment.

“His associations with individuals tied to terrorist organizations and his history of anti-Semitic remarks and actions indicate that he is not suitable for this crucial role at the CHRC,” the groups articulated in a joint statement in late June.

Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman urged the federal government to terminate Dattani and conduct public hearings on his appointment in an Aug. 7 social media post. She criticized the government for attempting to conceal the lack of proper vetting and claimed that the recent review was neither impartial nor transparent.

‘Administrative Oversight’

The Privy Council Office (PCO) is responsible for conducting background checks on all Governor in Council appointments.

PCO spokesperson Daniel Savoie previously informed The Epoch Times that an “administrative oversight” led to Dattani’s aliases not being investigated before his appointment on June 14.

In addition to his controversial views on Israel, other content from Dattani has emerged, including an abstract of a presentation to the Muslim Research Forum in 2015 discussing terrorism.

“Contrary to popular belief, terror is not an irrational strategy pursued solely by extremists with distorted political and psychological perspectives seeking a new order. It is a strategic and well-calculated approach that has remarkably high success rates,” the abstract stated.

Dattani, a lawyer who previously served as executive director of the Yukon Human Rights Commission from 2020 to 2023.

Noé Chartier contributed to this article.

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