Montreal-based Rights & Democracy was founded by the Conservative government under Brian Mulroney to encourage democracy and monitor human rights around the world. (CBC)

Gérard Latulippe's nomination as president of an embattled human rights organization is hyperpartisan, and will lead to the group's demise, accused Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

The opposition leader made the comments as MPs returned to work at Parliament on Wednesday.

Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon officially confirmed Latulippe's nomination late Tuesday night, shrugging off critics who opposed his takeover of the Montreal-based Rights & Democracy.

The Conservative government has already been accused of political interference in the non-profit organization's affairs. Three staffers were suspended and then fired this winter for publicly questioning new Conservative appointees to the group's board of directors. Then their offices were ransacked the same day a funeral was held for the organization's former president.

The choice of Latulippe was also heavily criticized by Muslim interest groups and opposition politicians who take issue with his past statements on Islam and immigration.

Latulippe told Quebec's reasonable accommodation commission two years ago that Muslim immigrants don't integrate as well as others and their increased presence poses an "unnnecessary risk of fostering terrorism from within."

That view is incompatible with a publicly-funded group, said the Canada's Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Canadians "should be appalled" said Ignatieff as he prepared to return to work at the House of Commons on Wednesday.

"It is a hyperpartisan appointment," that meddles outright with the organization's raison-d'être, Ignatieff warned. He added that the Conservatives "caused the collapse of Rights & Democracy and now there will be wrongful dismissal suits."

The three fired staffers are pursuing wrongful dismissal suits, according to constitutional lawyer Julius Grey, who is representing them.

Latulippe was the resident director of the National Democratic Institute in Haiti. He served with Cannon as a Liberal in the Quebec legislature and lost his bid for a federal seat in 2000 while representing the now defunct Canadian Alliance.