Before being appointed leader of the human rights Commission, Birju Dattani shared a stage with a member of an Islamic fundamentalist group and called for boycotting Israel
The federal government announced it is opening up an investigation of Birju Dattani, the newly appointed head of the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), after allegations of anti-Israel activism.
“We have become aware of potentially troubling statements attributed to Mr. Dattani as well as events he participated in while he was a graduate student in London, England a decade ago,” Chantalle Aubertin, a spokesperson for federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani, told National Post in a statement. “It is critical for the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission to maintain the confidence of all Canadians and to be seen as an impartial and fair judge of matters before them.”
“We are carefully reviewing these statements and discussing them with Mr. Dattani, as well as relevant stakeholders.”
Shimon Fogel, the long-standing president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), told the Post that the organization is “deeply concerned” about Dattani’s appointment given that he “has directly associated with individuals and groups affiliated with listed terror entities and has a history of making highly troubling antisemitic statements.” Fogel saw Dattani’s ascension to head the CHRC as underscoring “a crisis of confidence” with the body that “undermines our confidence in the Commission’s ability to adjudicate issues of hate and discrimination.”
Fogel said the controversy calls into question the justice ministry’s vetting process.
“CIJA has been in discussions with the Federal government not only about the revelations about Dattani but also about the failures in the vetting process. The government has expressed concerns and has committed to continuing that consultation over the coming days.”
The CHRC stood by Dattani and said in a statement that the organization is looking forward to him starting his new role on Aug. 8.
“Mr. Dattani was independently appointment by the Minister of Justice and the Commission is preparing to welcome him,” the statement said. “We trust that Mr. Dattani’s experience and expertise in human rights will serve him well when he assumes the role of Chief Commissioner.”
Dattani said nothing in his past disqualifies him from his new role at the CHRC. He denied he supports the BDS movement and said he does not share the views of everyone he has spoken alongside.
“I have never held the views put to me in your question,” he told the Post in an emailed statement. “With respect to the panels you cited, I spoke on many panels as a graduate student with people holding a range of views. This does not mean I shared or agreed with the views of other panellists.”
“As an academic, I have discussed, often in great detail, the BDS movement. That being said, I have not personally or publicly endorsed the BDS movement. My current and previous roles require that I impartially defend the human rights of Canadians from all walks of life, backgrounds and lived experiences in line with Canadian law,” he wrote.
“It is not a question of ‘still endorsing’ these views as I never held nor endorsed these views. I do not think the views that I actually hold or my past activities … are disqualifying or contrary to the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition on antisemitism. My tenure at both the Alberta and Yukon Commissions included broad support for their anti-racism policies, which include the IHRA definition.
“I am wholly committed to combating anti-Semitism.”
Dattani’s earlier activities are difficult to trace because he went by his middle name, Mujahid, during his academic years. However, he acknowledged to the Post: “I did, and sometimes still do, go by the middle name Mujahid, or by my full name, first, middle and last.”
“Workers should boycott Israel and Israeli goods,” the paper quoted him as saying.
Dattani said the author “attributes to me quotes I’ve never said, bar one,” pointing to the following statement, which was published in the original piece between the above quotations: “This picket demonstrates the unequivocal need to show the state of Israel that people who respect human rights and the rule of law will express their outrage.”
“Mujahid Dattani gives an informational speech about the BDS movement,” the university’s Islamic studies club tweeted at the time.
When Dattani’s appointment was announced, the attorney general said his background made him perfect for a role fighting racism.
Fogel said that Dattani had reached out to CIJA “to meet” following the Post’s initial inquiry. “If and when Mr. Dattani repudiates his past, CIJA would be willing to engage with him,” the president said.
“Dattani must denounce his past positions and affiliations and make clear that his current perspective aligns with Canadian values and policy, including acceptance of the IHRA definition of antisemitism — a position adopted by the Government of Canada and most provinces, but which Mr. Dattani has opposed,” he said.
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.