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NCCM: Commission report confirms prevalence of experiences of racial profiling
5-03-2017
Ottawa - May 3, 2017) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, is calling on all levels of government to do more to address issues of racial profiling throughout our communities, as highlighted in a new report released today by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC).
The NCCM joined representatives from Black and Indigenous communities speaking at today's launch of "Under Suspicion: Research and consultation report on racial profiling in Ontario". The report is based on consultations with over 1,600 individuals and organizations in Ontario, as well as based on social science research.
"This report speaks to the truth that many racialized and Indigenous community members experience every day," says NCCM Communications Director Amira Elghawaby. "Racial profiling is a burden that too many Canadians carry in a variety of public settings. It is felt with respect to our law enforcement agencies, and contributes to erosion in public trust. The Commission's work is critical in helping make visible what all too often remains invisible to the wider public, but which has deep impacts on mental health, as well as on an individual's sense of belonging.
"When NCCM receives complaints from Canadian Muslims who believe they have been racially profiled, the sentiment is often one of disbelief, humiliation to begin with - if it is their first time - and frustration and fear when it is a repeated experience. Many people feel as though they are alone in this experience. This OHRC report reminds us that these experiences are not happening in a vacuum, they are not a figment of someone's imagination, and they are not about being too sensitive. It is vital that all levels of government take concrete action to address racial profiling," says Elghawaby.
"Racial profiling treats African Canadians as if being Black is a crime," says Anthony Morgan, a Toronto lawyer from the Black community, who also welcomed the report.
Renu Mandhane, OHCR's Chief Commissioner, pledged that the commission will take various steps to address this issue even more deeply, including the creation of new policy directives and through the collection of race-based data. "Rebuilding trust requires concrete action to address racial profiling in all its forms."
The NCCM's Human Rights Department contributed a report consisting of statistics and general data to the Commission based on cases of racial profiling that have been reported to the organization. Muslims in Ontario and across the country are encouraged to report experiences of discrimination or human rights violations to the NCCM through its online incident reporting form.
The Ontario government's recently established Anti-Racism Directorate is also working on the issue of racial discrimination; its three-year strategy was released in March.
CONTACT: Amira Elghawaby, Communications Director, 613-254-9704; aelghawaby@nccm.ca
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