On July 29, 2020 a letter was sent by Canadians for Peace and Justice in Kashmir, Friends of Kashmir Canada, Justice for All and Just Peace Advocates to Minister Champagne in regard to the grave humanitarian situation and the aggressive colonization issue in Indian occupied Kashmir. This is sent just as Indian occupied Kashmir was a year into the military lock down imposed on August 5, 2019.
Minister Champagne has responded on September 24 saying he “regrets” his schedule does not allow a meeting with diaspora and allies
The letter from Kashmiri diaspora and allies outlined that, under the veil of Covid-19, the settler colonial project in Kashmir is going on full speed. With the introduction of the new Domicile Law by the Govt. of India on March 31, 2020, the project of intentional demographic change, in clear violation of international law, is underway. There is urgency for the international community to intervene as the Indian Government claims it has already issued close to two million Domicile certificates to non Kashmiris, a step that has grave implications for the final resolution of the issue of Kashmir .
This is the response provided by Canadian Foreign Minister Champagne
The letter sent to Minister Champagne on July 29, 2020.
Canada has a duty to respond to human rights situation in Kashmir, Hill Times, By ANAM ZAKARIA AND MICHAELA LAVIS , AUGUST 10, 2020
Photo credit: Photo: Reuters
