An outstanding legal organization faces criticism for canceling a speech by an outstanding defender of the entrepreneur and humanitarian later, some members expressed concern about their position about the Israel War in Gaza.
Tareq Hadhad, the founder of Peace By Chocolate, had been selected by the Defensores Society, a non -profit national group composed of some 6,000 judges, lawyers and defenders, to deliver the opening speech at their long -awaited dinner at the end of the period, in Toronto in June. On its website, the organization says it was “established to guarantee the presence of a brave and independent bar.”
But in a message to its members on Wednesday, the group said the invitation was rescinded after some members expressed concerns about their “public positions about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.”
“We recognize that, by selecting Mr. Hadhad, we have harmed many of our members and made them feel unpleasant,” he said.
The message did not point to any specific publication made by Hadhad or elaborated what is expressing concerns.
But the Canadian Association of Muslim lawyers (CMLA) says that when he pressed society, they were told that the concerns derived from complaints about the use of Hadhad of the term “genocide” on social networks, particularly in the context of human rights discussions, adding that they had not provided what they considered “equal comment” about other impacted groups.
Tareq Hadhad arrived in Canada as a Syrian refugee and founded the socially conscious peace for chocolate won his citizenship with a perfect score.
When asked, the defenders’ society would not confirm those details in CBC News.
In a statement, he said that the reaction “made it clear that our plans were separating the members, not unite. With regret, we have concluded that this is not the right time or event for this speaker to address our members.”
“The decision was not due to any specific publication on social networks, but to the impact that this discussion had on our members, creating division and damage for some, instead of the community and collegiality.”
‘I stay firm in my values’
Hadhad arrived in Canada as a refugee in 2015 after the war in his Syria Natal displaced millions, and quickly reached the headlines of his entrepreneurship after recreating the chocolate business of his family.
It is for that reason that society chose him by his key note, saying in his message to the Hadhad members “has an inspiring personal history about his perseverance as a Syrian refugee.”
Hadhad said he was “honest” by the invitation and “surprised” when he was rescinded.
“I remain firm in my values and I am proud of who I am. My story is not political, it is personal. It is rooted in the experience lived,” he told CBC News.
“I will continue to use my voice to advocate for human rights and the belief that each person deserves to live in peace and respect.”
Hadhad added that his speech would have focused on “values that bind” and the “dignity of each human being.”
Accused of ‘police views’
In an open letter to society, the CMLA pointed out that Hadhad has won broad recognition for its history, including the Platinum Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II, in addition to being invited to speak by numerous financial institutions and Canadian consulting services.
Regarding any concerns raised on the use of the term genocide to refer to Israel’s actions in Gaza, he pointed out that the main human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have already argued that Israel’s actions are equivalent to genocide.
The International Court of Justice also ordered Israel to take all measures to avoid any act contrary to the 1948 genocide convention in its war in Gaza, and the International Criminal Court has issued arrest orders for specific Israeli officials for war crimes. Israel has vehemently denied those charges.
“When watching opinions on this issue, society is making it very clear that it is not committed to the diversity of opinion or color and sending a clear message to its visible minority members that they are not welcome,” said the president of the CMLA, Husein Panju, in the letter.
“The actions of society show that he and his Board grant a higher value in leverage certain anonymous constituencies than to promote freedom of expression, intercultural dialogue, inclusion and open exchange of ideas. We can think of a few things that disagree with fundamental Canadian values.”
In his statement to CBC News, society said that it is “committed to creating a vibrant, diverse, cozy and inclusive environment for all defenders” and that it is “actively communicating to the members and leaders of legal organizations to listen, learn and restore the confidence of our membership.”
But for the employee and human rights lawyer Muneza Sheikh, the face of society sends a different message.
“The fact that someone as passionate about human rights as Mr. Hadhad can be torn from a prominent legal stage (with young and racialized lawyers who observe) in this way sends a clear message: those that represent human rights are examined first on whose human rights are competing,” he wrote to CBC News.
“That’s not right,” he continued. “My friends in the legal community are not well. Freedom of expression has become a victim in the legal community of Ontario, which is shocking since it is an imperative when human rights are observed, in addition, thought crimes are punishable in the worst way.”
Hadhad, meanwhile, says he will continue doing what he has done since he arrived in Canada: with the aim of building bridges through dialogue.
“I believe in creating spaces where stories of hope and peace can be heard without fear or division.”
