Toronto – Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) released the following statement today regarding the serious nature of the charges that have been laid against Salman Hossain.

“We commend both the OPP and the Attorney General of Ontario for their investigation and subsequent charges against alleged hatemonger Salman Hossain.  Mr. Hossain’s website included vile antisemitic rants including an overt and unambiguous call for genocide against the Jews of North America and Europe. This is the first time an individual has been charged in Ontario under section 318 (advocating genocide) and one would be hard pressed to find a more suitable case as a precedent. We are deeply appreciative of the efforts of the Attorney General of Ontario and the OPP to bring us to where we are today. Through their due diligence and hard work they have determined that these charges are necessary and appropriate.  Mr. Hossain’s words and actions speak for themselves and he must be held accountable under the law,” said CEO Bernie M. Farber.

“Canadian law provides strong protections under the Criminal Code against advocating or promoting genocide as well as against the willful promotion of hate toward identifiable groups. These laws, reserved as they must be for only the clearest cases, are only as strong as the willingness of the authorities to press charges where appropriate. Today’s announcement reinforces our society’s commitment to protecting the rights of all groups in Canada to live free from vilification and demonization, and certainly free from genocidal threats,” said CJC National President Mark Freiman.