11 organizations have sent a letter to the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, the Minister of Foreign Affairs calling on the Canadian government to urge India to:
1. End its militarism, state violence, and denial of fundamental rights to the people of Jammu and Kashmir
2. Immediately end aggression, stop violating the ceasefire on the Line of Control and end targeting of civilians and using them as human shields
3. Protect the historical rights of indigenous Kashmiris and halt the process of demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir. Immediately repeal the Domicile Act.
4. End the Public Safety Act, a lawless law under which people can be detained without any charge for up to two years
5. Free all political prisoners who are at risk during this pandemic
6. Respect access to information especially in the time of the pandemic as a fundamental human right and immediately restore 4G internet access allowing medical professionals to fight the pandemic with proper resources and allow students access to online education
7. End the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that grants impunity to its armed forces
8. Work with the United Nations to prevent another war and find a peaceful and just resolution to the Kashmir conflict.
9. Urge India to allow foreign journalists, independent human rights agencies and workers, and Canadian lawmakers, access to Kashmir for a first hand assessment
See the letter below.
Action you can take
The letter reminded that as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Champagne, it iis his mandate to
increase Canadian support abroad for democracy, human rights, international law and freedom of the press,
all principles that are being violated in Indian Administered Kashmir. In the interest of world peace and stability and for protecting the rights of the indigenous people of Jammu and Kashmir, the organizations urge the Minister to take a proactive role as a peacemaker and show leadership in speaking out for the fundamental human rights of the people of Kashmir.
