Canada’s newly appointed chief human rights commissioner, Birju Dattani, resigned before officially starting his role due to controversy surrounding past remarks about Israel. Dattani announced his resignation on LinkedIn, expressing his continued support for the commission’s important work.
The Canadian Human Rights Commission, which operates independently of the federal government, investigates human rights complaints against the government. Justice Minister Arif Virani accepted Dattani’s decision and stated that the process to appoint a new chief commissioner will begin promptly.
Dattani’s appointment in June faced criticism from some Jewish groups, citing his involvement in discussions on Israel Apartheid Week and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. Despite an investigation clearing him of anti-Semitic beliefs, concerns were raised about his lack of disclosure regarding his use of the name Mujahid Dattani.
Virani expressed significant concerns about Dattani’s candor during the appointment process in a letter dated July 31. The resignation highlights the complexities of managing diverse perspectives within the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
© Thomson Reuters 2024.