The BCHRT Roo's save their butts - Islamists sent packin Macleans and Steyn Walk!
Update1: Canadian Islamic Congress issues crybaby response to the BCHRT ruling
TORONTO, Oct. 10 /CNW/ - Legal Counsel to the Canadian Islamic Congress(CIC), Faisal Joseph, responded today to the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal's decision in the case filed against Maclean's magazine.
"We are pleased that the Tribunal acknowledged the article in question contained 'numerous factual, historical, and religious inaccuracies about Islam and Muslims' and that it attempted 'to rally public opinion by exaggeration and causing the reader to fear Muslims,'" said Joseph. According to Joseph, the Tribunal also notes in paragraphs 94 and 151 of its ruling that the Maclean's article contributed to the hatred and contempt of Muslims expressed by "several Internet blogs...which included calls to exterminate European Muslims with DDT because they were multiplying like mosquitoes, calls for an end to Muslim immigration, and calls for enough bullets or nuclear bombs to eliminate the Muslim problem."
"We are disappointed that the Tribunal did not find that the article itself subjected Muslims to hate," said Joseph. "However, it did not apply the same test for establishing hatred and contempt as it did in earlier rulings," he added, referring to complaints submitted by the Canadian Jewish Congress and the B'nai Brith against the North Shore Free Press. "Had the same test been applied, the result may well have been different."
"Nevertheless, we feel vindicated that human rights professionals in Ontario and British Columbia have acknowledged the role of Maclean's in promoting societal intolerance toward Muslim Canadians," said Joseph. "We hope that all news media will now take this opportunity to critically examine how Muslims are represented in their news and editorial coverage."
(You bet we will;)
For further information: Faisal Joseph - Legal Counsel to the Canadian
Islamic Congress, (519) 640-6342
Update2: Khaled Mouammar has offered this response to my request for his reaction to the BCHRT Ruling.
It is unfortunate that the BC Human Rights Commission decided to rely on a test case that was dealt with by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeals. Nevertheless, we are happy to note that the Commission clearly stated that Maclean's articles were not factual and promoted Islamophobia and stereotyping.
Khaled Mouammar
Update3: Decision Posted on BCHRT site
The panel has concluded that the complaints are not justified because the complainants have not established that the Article is likely to expose them to hatred or contempt on the basis of their religion. Therefore, pursuant to s. 37(1) the complaints are dismissed.
H/T Freedo
Update Reactions: Consensus - NOT a victory until the HRC's are stripped of the power to threaten citizens right to free speech. (So far I have received no reply to my request for reaction from Elmo & his VP at the CIC. Khaled Mouammar of the CAF has responded)
FiveFeetOfFury issues Press Release
Andrew Coyne is blogging on the decision.
Ghost of a Flea
Jay Currie
Rightgirl
Jack of Hearts
Small Dead Animals
National Post, Joseph Brean
Pundita
Denyse O'Leary
Damian Penny
Covenant Zone
Michelle Malkin
Deborah Gyapong
Blogging for a Free World
Free Mark Steyn
Marginalized Action Dinosaur
Western Standard
Metro
Reuters
Hyacinth Girl
LifeSite
BrassBallsRadio
CanadaEast
CTV
CFTK - TV
Scaramouche
Blog of Walker
HotAir
Rob Breakenridge
CBC
Canadian Press
Hopelessly Partisan
Timothy Birdnow
Globe & Mail
Shooting Star
Canadian Magazines
Ace of Spades
Hamilton Madison & Jay
Timeimmortal
Girl in Blue
Ed Driscoll
Oregon Commentator
Weasel Zippers
Pelalusa
Sean Berry
The Corner at NRO
Proud to be Canadian
Victoria Times Colonist
The Star
Whatever
Free Frank Warner
NeoConstant
Jihad Watch
DUC IN ALTUM

How dare they rule in such a way as not to put their evil law and their own role as the evil law's keepers in question. Of course, what else can you expect from bureacrats, but still... Just doing our job...
In other news today, a seismic explosion was reported to have been heard in Elmo's head. Hazmat has been called in to check for toxic fallout.
Stay tuned.
Four Horses
I honestly thought the tyrants at the BCHRC would find Macleans guilty of violating Sharia Law, oh dear the snot and bawling that's going to come from the Political Islamists shall be fierce.
Elmo don't use tissues, use Bounty two ply paper towel you can wash it and reuse it in the future cause Islamic supremacy just got a nasty blow.
I'd really like to know the financial cost of the whole nonsense - how much did Macleans spend defending themselves, and how much money was extorted from taxpayers.
All valid points Mariposa, this travesty cost us all much more than mere dollars.
I was just skimming through some of the roos decision...
#12 on page 3 (page 5 of the PDF) re: the tribunal not hearing from Steyn - his reasons for writing the article...
First of all, it wasn't an article - it was an excerpt from his book America Alone.
Only in Canada would you have to explain your reasons for writing something. And why the hell should a magazine have to explain their decision to publish something.
To paraphrase Ezra: Because it's their bloody right to do so!
Good catch Mariposa, this thing will be dissected thoroughly;)
Me too, me too! http://scaramouche.motime.com/post/728304
There remains one devastating outcome to Canada and Canadians.
That outcome demonstrates our Canada is not free, and a kind of wicked shareep-creep law persists.
Simply, this Colony of Human Rats are allowed to have the outrageous audacity to pronounce any kind of verdict at all.
Let us hope that a Conservative majority will extinguish any trace of these malcontents on our soil.
"Fire. Them. All." Then, reload.
A step in the right direction, at least.
thank God for that, and congrats!
Every victory counts...even one as hollow as this one.
It is hollow because the process IS the punishment in itself. Yet, the victory is a sign that the burecrauts are beginning to realize the limits of their power. And the finding can be used as 'precedent' in other malicious prosecutions...
Yes I agree Xanth, it is a tactical withdrawal on the part of the HRC's.
Ha ha! What noel said ("then reload") (also "Colony of Human Rats") (awesome) ;)
I loved this bit: "Nevertheless, we are happy to note that the Commission clearly stated that Maclean's articles were not factual and promoted Islamophobia and stereotyping.
Well, duhhh ... drive-by verdicts are their specialty.
BCF, in my opinion, that whole document -- which I read, in its entirety -- is a masterful illustration of CYA; but it reminds me of Abraham Lincoln and the whole "you can fool some of the people some of the time" situation.
If the CHR apparatchiks think they're out of the crosshairs, they'd better think again.
Yup good one Noel, and you are dead on eowyn.
Now all the rats are scurring to their holes.
The CJC, BB and SWC are saying in the August article that Human rights Commissions are subject to abuse. Go figure = CASH COW milked dry?
No more taxpayer cream Bernie and Len!
What organizations in addition to the aforementioned were intervenors at every 13.1 Skopes vs Kangeroo Show Trial in Canada?
My heart bleed for the likes of Furry Barber and his ilk.
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