In a significant diplomatic move, Bharat has
spearheaded recommendations for Canada to fortify measures preventing attacks
on worship places and effectively address hate speech.
The proposals were presented during the UN Human
Rights Council Review meeting, where diplomats from Bharat, Bangladesh, and Sri
Lanka shared their insights and recommendations.
Indian diplomat Mohammed Hussain noted legislative
enactments such as the National Housing Strategy Act and the Accessible Canada
Act while addressing the issue at the Council meeting.
“We note the enactment of the National Housing
Strategy Act, Accessible Canada act, and National strategy to combat human
trafficking,” said Hussain addressing the UNHRC review meeting.
Bharat also recommended that Canada strengthen its
domestic framework to prevent the misuse of freedom of expression, particularly
for inciting violence.
Additionally, Bharat urged Canada to disallow
activities of groups promoting extremism, prevent attacks on places of worship
of religious and racial minorities, and enhance measures to address hate crimes
and hate speech.
“India recommends the following to Canada – further,
strengthen the domestic framework to prevent misuse of freedom of expression,
for inciting violence and disallow activities of groups that are promoting
extremism; effectively prevent attacks on places of worship of religious and
racial minorities, strengthen legislative and other measures to address hate
crimes and hate speech,” he also said.
Bangladesh diplomat Abdullah Al Forhad commended
Canada’s progress in human rights protection and acknowledged the ongoing
implementation of its strategy to combat human trafficking.
However, Bangladesh recommended that Canada intensify
efforts against racism, hate speech, hate crimes, and discrimination against
migrants and Muslim minorities. They also called for measures to reduce carbon
emissions and urged international cooperation in addressing climate change
impacts.
“In spite of cooperation, Bangladesh offers
recommendations to Canada: intensify its efforts to combat racism, hate speech,
hate crimes, and discrimination against migrants and Muslim minorities, take
necessary measures to reduce carbon emissions; strengthen international
cooperation in addressing the negative impacts of climate change; and consider
ratifying an international convention on the protection of the rights of all
migrants, workers and members of their families,” said Bangladesh’s Al Forhad.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan diplomat Thilini Jayasekara also
recommended Canada accede to the Convention on the Protection of Rights of All
Migrant Workers, take measures against racial discrimination affecting
immigrants’ rights, counter misinformation against minority communities, and
strengthen its national mechanism for comprehensive reporting and follow-up on
international human rights recommendations.
“Sri Lanka welcomes the cooperation extended by the
Government of Canada during the visit of UN Special Rapporters on contemporary
forms of slavery and on the rights of Indigenous people.
Sri Lanka recommends Canada to one, accede to the
Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant workers and members of
their families. Two, continue to take measures against racial discrimination,
in particular to avoid discriminatory policies and regulations affecting the
rights of immigrants, including in the area of health,” said the Sri Lankan
diplomat.
“Three, continue to take measures to counter
misinformation against minority communities. Four, strengthen its national
mechanism for comprehensive reporting and follow up in relation to
recommendations received from international human rights mechanisms and treaty
obligations. We wish Canada success in its UPR engagement,” Thilini Jayasekara
added.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau introduced a fresh sour
note in bilateral ties with India amid the continuing diplomatic standoff,
affirming his earlier claim of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani
terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Earlier on Saturday, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau
accused New Delhi of violating the Vienna Convention by “kicking out” 40
diplomats at a time when his country had reached out to the former and other
global partners to get to the bottom of the murder.
Issuing a warning, the Canadian PM said if bigger
countries can “violate international law without consequences”, it will make
the world “more dangerous”.
Trudeau, however, added that Canada wants to “work
constructively” with India, adding that Ottawa “will always stand up to the
rule of law”.
Last month, Canada pulled out 41 diplomats from India
and also halted its visa and consular services in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and
Bengaluru consulates in the wake of the Union government’s decision to strip
them of their immunity.
This came after New Delhi conveyed its concerns to
Ottawa over the disproportionate number of diplomats in India and sought a ‘parity’
in diplomatic strength.
Accusing Bharat of violating the Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Ottawa
removed 41 diplomats and their 42 dependents from India amid the ongoing
diplomatic sabre-rattling between the two countries.
However, the Ministry of External Affairs responded by
saying that no international norms were violated in India, seeking parity in
the mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa.
Earlier, in September this year, Trudeau alleged the
involvement of “agents of the Indian Government” in the killing of the
Khalistani terrorist.
Bharat rejected the allegations as “absurd and
motivated” and expelled a Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move after Ottawa
asked a senior Indian diplomat to leave.
New Delhi also halted visa services to Canada but
later decided to resume services for four categories after a “considered review
of the security situation”.
Notably, Canada has not been able to present any
evidence to back its claims over the killing, according to the MEA.
ANI
