Human rights panel dismisses complaint against Ezra Levant
Last Updated: Thursday, August 7, 2008 | 12:05 PM ET
CBC News
The Alberta Human Rights Commission has dismissed a complaint against publisher Ezra Levant for reprinting the provocative Danish Muhammad cartoons in his magazine in 2006.
The complaint was filed by the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities.
Levant, who has characterized the controversy as a free speech issue, said he was pleased with the outcome and pledged to continue fighting against censorship.
In February 2006, Levant published the controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in the now defunct Western Standard, arguing that they were "the central fact in the largest news story of the month."
The series of cartoons, originally published in September 2005 in Denmark and subsequently reprinted in other papers across Europe and around the globe, had already outraged the Muslim world and sparked protests and boycotts in several countries.
"I'm doing something completely normal. I'm publishing the centre of a controversy. That's what news magazines do," Levant told CBC News at the time.
Syed Soharwardy, president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, had also launched a complaint against Levant with the Alberta Human Rights Commission, but later withdrew it.
With files from the Canadian PressShare Tools
Top News Headlines
- Deadly Oklahoma tornado confirmed as most powerful type
- Emergency workers neared the end of their search Tuesday afternoon for survivors in Moore, Okla., following a deadly tornado that weather officials said was now classified among the most powerful type of twister. more »
- Children driven around too much, Canadian report suggests
- Fewer Canadian kids are commuting by walking or biking as a new report reveals a marked decline among young people using active modes of transportation. more »
- Senate set to debate expense audits amid greater scrutiny
- The Senate will debate its own committee's reports into living expenses claimed by three senators Tuesday night in a session that could see Senator Mike Duffy's claims sent back for a second audit. more »
- 'Speculation' in Bosma death unfair to accused, says lawyer
- "Speculation" surrounding the accused, Dellen Millard, in the case of Timothy Bosma's death is unfairly poisoning the suspect's image, his lawyer said Tuesday. more »
Must Watch
- Deadly Oklahoma tornado confirmed as most powerful type
- 'Very upset' Harper wants fast Senate spending reform
- Microsoft unveils Xbox One
- Schoolchildren describe Oklahoma tornado terror
- Microsoft's Xbox revamp: Is the sun setting on game consoles?
- Mountie sues 13 ex-colleagues for sex assault, harassment
- Dellen Millard farm still under police watch
- Edmonton driver, 62, charged in boy's patio death
- Jodi Arias asks jury to spare her life
