India has recommended that Canada strengthen measures to prevent attacks on places of worship and address hate speech. The recommendations were made during the UN Human Rights Council Review meeting, where diplomats from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka shared their insights. India suggested that Canada strengthen its domestic framework to prevent the misuse of freedom of expression and disallow activities of groups promoting extremism. Bangladesh called for intensified efforts against racism, hate speech, hate crimes, and discrimination against migrants and Muslim minorities.
A Democratic group of governors led by Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer have joined national leaders in calling for an increase in funding for security at places of worship as concerns grow over threats against Jewish and Muslim communities sparked by the Israel-Hamas war. Governors of 10 states and the territory of Puerto Rico sent a letter Wednesday, first obtained by The Associated Press, that was addressed to leaders in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. It calls for an increase in funding to the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which is set to give $305 million this year to nonprofits to help secure their facilities against potential attacks.
Unlike bills, the governor cannot veto constitutional amendments. Such measures must pass two successive legislative sessions before voters have the final say.