Congress ‘perplexed’ at lack of hate charges

TORONTO — Canadian Jewish Congress is asking Chris Bentley, the attorney general of Ontario, to review a decision not to prosecute a Toronto man for Internet postings that attack Jews.

Len Rudner

“We’d like the attorney general to take a look at the file,” said Len Rudner, director of Congress’ Ontario region. “Our request for a review is based on demonstrably hateful content.”

Early last week, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced that after investigating Salman Hossain and consulting with Crown lawyers, “it was determined that insufficient grounds existed to support willful promotion of hatred charges.”

Hossain first came to the attention of law enforcement officials almost two years ago after German police arrested three Islamic terrorist suspects. Hossain posted several messages that same day, the National Post reported.

“I hope the German brothers were gonna blow up U.S.-German bases in their country. We should do that here in Canada as well. Kill as many western soldiers as well so that they think twice before entering foreign countries on behalf of their Jew masters,” he wrote.

Building on his views of Jews, he stated: “When do I get to shoot a few Jews down for attempting to blow up dozens of mosques in America right after 9-11… Why f—ing target the Americans when the Jews are better?”

Another posting that focuses on Jews stated: “Here’s what I suggest we do… just throw out the Jews (by religion or blood) out of the instruments of mainstream media, finance/banking, government/politics, and the intelligence/secret services.

“That’s how the Muslims have done it in the past, especially when they were in power and glorious. Leave behind the token Jew here and there just to appear non-discriminatory.”

Mark Goldberg, chair of the community relations committee of Congress’ Ontario region, said that the “statements alleged to have been made by Salman Hossain appear to reflect a deep hatred of Jews and speak to a mindset that embraces the most corrosive conspiracy theories.”

Rudner said Congress is “perplexed” at the decision not to file criminal charges against Hossain. “The contents of his statements on the Internet meet the test” for hatred.

“He looks forward to the opportunity of shooting ‘a few Jews’ and hopes for the killing of ‘western soldiers.’ Such statements go beyond offensive and give every appearance of crossing the line into wilful promotion of hatred as defined by the Criminal Code,” Rudner said.

Asked whether Congress would contemplate initiating a section 13 complaint under the Canadian Human Rights Act, which makes it an offence to use the Internet to promote hate, Rudner said Congress would prefer to see Hossain prosecuted under the Criminal Code.

A police investigation has already been undertaken and documentation gathered. “I certainly don’t see any downside to letting the matter proceed criminally,” he said.

If the criminal track doesn’t pan out, Congress’ legal affairs committee would determine whether to lay a human rights complaint.

“We’re considering all options at the moment,” Rudner said.