We must all call out Islamophobia
January 29, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Human Rights Commission
To mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia, Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, Interim Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, issues the following statement:
Today is the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia. This year marks the sixth anniversary of the terrible night a gunman walked into the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre and opened fire on worshippers, killing 6 men and injuring many more.
Today, the Canadian Human Rights Commission stands with Canada's Muslim community, and we honour the memory of Azzeddine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Abdelkrim Hassane and Aboubaker Thabti, as well as the many who were wounded in the attack, and all the families.
The Quebec City Mosque Attack was a senseless and deliberate act of hate. It is forever a haunting reminder of the way increasingly pervasive online hate contributes to devastating real world violence.
The Commission is deeply concerned by the dramatic rise in Islamophobia in Canada since October 7, 2023. We must recognize that for every reported incident of hate, discrimination, or violence, there are many more frightening incidents that go unreported. Many people experiencing hate in Canada are bearing the burden in silence.
When hate manifests in our communities, it is a threat to public safety, democracy, and human rights. Hate divides us and turns us against each other.
Without accountability, hateful behaviour that has been appallingly normalized online is now more frighteningly common in person.
A proactive anti-hate regime has been necessary for years. It is now desperately needed.
As we mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia, let us all stand together against Islamophobia and all forms of hate.
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The Commission is Canada’s National Human Rights Institution accredited under the UN Paris Principles, and works to promote and protect human rights within Canada.
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