Call for immediate action: The Bloc Québécois and the issue of human rights violations in Kashmir
Prenez une minute pour écrire au chef Blanchet et aux autres élus du Bloc Québécois.
Take one minute to write to leader Blanchet and other elected member of the Bloc Québécois.
Rappelez-leur leurs promesses lors des élections d’automne. Appel à l’action maintenant.
Remind them of their promises during the fall election. Call for action now.
Le Bloc Québécois indique son soutien au peuple du Cachemire
Bloc Québécois indicates support for people of Kashmir
Lisez les promesses faites par le Bloc québécois lors de l’élection.
Read the promises made by the Bloc Québécois during the election.
This is the letter in english for you refence. The letter should you chose to send it is in french.
Bloc Québécois to address India Humans Rights Violations in Kashmir
Yves-François Blanchet, Leader of the Bloc Québécois
All elected members of the Bloc Québécois
Dear Leader Blanchet and other elected Bloc Québécois members of parliament:
Thank you for your response during the election to questions in regard Kashmir.
I was very encouraged by your response. I was glad to hear that the Bloc Québécois (BQ) had previously written to the High Commissioner of India to express your party’s disapproval of the repeal of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, and that you indicated that the Bloc Québécois intends to continue to denounce the clear violation by India of Jammu and Kashmir citizens’ rights.
As you said, India, by its non-compliance with UN resolutions, certainly deserves to be called to order by the Canadian government and held accountable for its noncompliance with UN resolutions. I agree with you that the departure of Amnesty International and other NGOs from the region is concerning.
I concur with you that the Modi government needs to back down on the colonization project associated with the removal of Section 35A. I also welcomed that the Bloc Québécois indicated that you always denounce political imprisonment, and you will not hesitate to do the same for Kashmiris.
I was especially pleased to hear that the Bloc Québécois will focus on diplomatic meetings to signify its disapproval of all policies that discriminate against Kashmiris, and that you are willing to submit a motion to the House of Commons to make the Modi government back down and backtrack on all its violations related to Kashmir. I look to your moving forward with this motion.
I also want to URGENTLY draw to your attention that on November 22, 2021, Khurram Parvez, a leading global human rights defender was arrested at his residence in Srinagar in Indian occupied Kashmir, and moved to Delhi
This followed a raid at his residence by the National Investigative Agency (NIA), India’s central counter-terrorist task force. The NIA simultaneously also carried out a 14-hour raid at the office of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society where Perez is the program coordinator.
Unwarranted detention in facilities outside Kashmir is a common action utilized by Government of India agencies in such situations and is in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Khurram Parvez and the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) are internationally recognized as model defenders of human rights. As a champion for civil liberties in Kashmir, Parvez has documented the impact of state torture, extrajudicial killings, and other widespread abuses. He has worked closely on regional and international campaigns on landmine removal as well as involuntary and enforced disappearances in the region.
The New York Times reported on November 23, “Khurram Parvez’s detention has deepened concerns that the Modi administration is abusing the law to squelch dissent.”
The arrest of Khurram Parvez is being widely reported in international media and strongly condemned by the international human rights community.
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders Mary Lawlor tweeted her concern about this development on November 22, stating “He’s not a terrorist, he’s a Human Rights Defender.”
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has strongly condemned the arbitrary detention and judicial harassment of Khurram Parvez and expresses its utmost concern over the high risk of torture and ill-treatment he faces while in custody.
Please read this detailed statement: https://kashmir-scholars.org/2021/12/08/kscan-declaration-publique-concernant-larrestation-de-khurram-parvez-24-novembre-2021/
I ask you to bring this to the attention of parliament through a question or statement. I urge you to take steps within parliament and through diplomatic meetings to insist the Liberal government hold Modi and India accountable for its noncompliance with UN resolutions and international law in regard to Kashmir.
We look forward to you being in touch.
Sincerely,
What the BQ said
The BQ revealed in their response that they have written to the High Commissioner of India to express their disapproval of the repeal of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, and that they intend to continue to denounce this clear violation of citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.
The BQ indicated and referenced in its response:
- That India, by its non-compliance with UN resolutions, certainly deserves to be called to order by the Canadian government and held accountable for its non compliance with UN resolutions
- That the departure of Amnesty International from the region, including other NGOs, is concerning, raises fears of an escalation in tensions and requires Modi’s government to back down on the colonization project associated with the removal of Section 35A.
- That the BQ would focus on diplomatic meetings to signify its disapproval of all policies that discriminate against Kashmiris, and that they will not hesitate to submit a motion to the House of Commons to make the Modi government back down backtrack on all its violations related to Kashmir.
In addition to those Kashmiris who have been languishing in jails for years after expressing their dissent to India’s occupation, an estimated 4,000 to 13,000 Kashmiris have been detained since August 5th, 2019.
Ce que le BQ a dit
Le BQ a révélé dans sa réponse qu’il avait directement écrit au Haut-commissaire de l’Inde pour exprimer sa désapprobation complète de l’abrogation de l’article 370 de la constitution indienne et qu’il entendait continuer à dénoncer cette violation manifeste des citoyens et des citoyennes du Jammu-et-Cachemire.Le BQ a aussi indiqué dans sa réponse :
- Que l’Inde, en raison de son non-respect des résolutions de l’ONU, mérite certainement d’être rappelée à l’ordre par le gouvernement canadien et tenue responsable de son non-respect des résolutions de l’ONU.
- Que le départ d’Amnistie Internationale et d’autres ONG de la région, est une source de préoccupation additionnelle, fait craindre une escalade des tensions et place le gouvernement Modi devant l’obligation de reculer sur le projet de colonisation ainsi que sur la suppression de l’article 35A.
- Que le BQ se concentrera sur les rencontres diplomatiques pour signifier sa désapprobation de toutes les politiques discriminatoires envers les Cachemiris, et qu’il n’hésitera pas à soumettre une motion à la Chambre des communes pour faire reculer le gouvernement Modi sur l’ensemble de ses violations des droits des Cachemiris.
En plus des Cachemiris qui croupissent dans les prisons depuis des années après avoir exprimé leur désaccord avec l’occupation indienne, on estime que de 4 000 à 13 000 Cachemiris ont été détenus depuis le 5 août 2019.
India arrests prominent Kashmir human rights defender under ‘terror’ law
On November 22, 2021, Khurram Parvez, a leading global human rights defender was arrested at his residence in Srinagar in Indian occupied Kashmir. READ MORE>
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Veuillez consulter la déclaration KSCAN qui fournit des informations détaillées sur Parvez.
Please see the KSCAN statement which provides detailed information about Parvez.
Sponsored by/Parrainé par
Just Peace Advocates and Friends of Kashmir Canada
Mouvement Pour Une Paix Juste et Amis du Cachemire Canada
