Human Rights Tribunals Under Fire in Canada

(05 Jun 08 - RV) In Canada, the British Colombia Human Rights Tribunal is this week holding a hearing against the nation’s most influential newsweekly, MacLean’s Magazine. It is accused of printing an article offensive to Muslims in 2006. The magazine says the case is an infringement on the freedom of the press, and the right to free speech.

The case has brought to national attention the work of the various Human Rights Tribunals in Canada, which do not operate under the standard rules of courts in the country. The Tribunals investigate, prosecute, and hand down verdicts in the cases, and many fear that unpopular speech is being targeted.

Joe Sinasac, the editor of the largest Catholic newspaper in Canada, the Catholic Register, says the current case is shining light on the often shadowy proceedings...