Director Urges Calm After Terrorist Attacks in the U.S.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION--Director Urges Calm After Terrorist Attacks in the U.S.

The Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is urging Nova Scotians to remain calm as they try to come to grips with the crisis unfolding in the United States. In past times of crisis around the world, there have been reprisals against communities of ethnic or religious minority.

"We hope that Nova Scotians will not act harshly against people because of unfortunate or untrue stereotypes," said Mayann Francis.

Ms. Francis said there is an unfortunate association between Muslims and Arabs and terrorism.

"The actions of extremists do not reflect any one community as a whole," she said.

The Human Rights Act covers discriminatory behaviour against individuals based on ethnic or national origin, religion/creed, race or colour. It is against the law to discriminate against or mistreat a person or group of people based on these characteristics.