Chief Human Rights Commissioner of Canada Resigns Amid Controversy
Canada’s new chief human rights commissioner, Birju Dattani, has unexpectedly resigned before officially starting his role due to controversy surrounding past remarks about Israel. Dattani announced his resignation on LinkedIn, expressing his belief in the importance of the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s work.
The Canadian Human Rights Commission operates independently of the federal government, investigating human rights complaints against Canada’s federal government. Justice Minister Arif Virani accepted Dattani’s decision, emphasizing the priority of maintaining Canadians’ confidence in the commission. The search for a new chief commissioner will begin promptly.
Controversy Surrounding Dattani
Dattani faced opposition from Jewish groups upon his appointment in June for statements about Palestinians and participation in events related to Israel. The investigation found no evidence of antisemitism but flagged issues with transparency regarding Dattani’s use of a second name, Mujahid Dattani.
Virani expressed concerns about Dattani’s candor during the appointment process, reflecting the complexities of navigating human rights issues at a national level.