Amid mounting public and political controversy, the Canadian Human Rights Commission has launched an independent review of the way it deals with so-called hate speech on the Internet, Canada.com reported.
Earlier this year, MP Keith Martin introduced a bill calling for the repeal of Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act. The section makes it illegal to use the Internet or telephone to disseminate messages likely to expose identifiable groups or individuals to hatred or contempt.
His legislation followed complaints over magazine articles that allegedly fostered hatred against Muslims.
"There is a trend in the western democracies to silence speech deemed 'hateful' (read 'offensive') to some groups claiming victim status," said Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "America has tilted in this direction, but hasn't yet given up on free speech.
"To have the government silence speech by branding it with a pejorative term is to chill all critical speech,' he said. "And critical speech is the foundation of a free society. As America has begun to embrace this concept, we find ourselves perilously close to crossing a line that will change us as a country forever."
