Following last night’s deadly shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Québec City, Béatrice Vaugrante, Director General of Amnesty International Canada-Francophone, said:

“Amnesty International strongly condemns this act targeting Muslims, demonstrating a total disregard for life and a religion-based hatred.



“We send our condolences to the families of the victims and the wider community of this mosque. It is crucial that the police investigation be conducted promptly and justice delivered. The Muslim community in the province of Québec needs to be assured that it has access to security, like all citizens.



“Hate speech and Islamophobia are unacceptable and nurture violence. Let us show together, especially at the highest political level, that solidarity prevails and that respect for the rights of all people to live in security without discrimination is of the utmost importance to us.”



Background



On the evening of 29 January, a shooting took place in the Islamic Cultural Center in the Sainte-Foy area of Québec city, killing six people and injuring eight more, according to a police spokeswoman. The Government of Québec and Canada’s Prime Minister have called the attack a terrorist act and a crisis team has been set up in its wake.