In 2019, the NDP said that “the Liberal government must find the courage to firmly communicate these human rights concerns to Indian authorities.” However, during the 2021 election NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has been silent about Kashmir despite being asked specific questions by a Coalition of Canadian organizations.
In 2020, the NDP through MP Scott Duvall did sponsor a landmark petition that called for the Canadian government to condemn India’s domicile law, work for Kashmir’s self-determination, free prisoners and restore internet access.
However several NDP candidates have indicated clear responses on their stance in regard to Kashmir. Also one Green Party candiate has responded. (See responses below)
Yavar Hameed, Ottawa West—Nepean
1/ Do you support the principle of self-determination for the Kashmiri people afforded them through the plebiscite promised originally in United Nations Security Council resolutions 47 (1948) and in subsequent resolutions following?
If so, what steps would you take if elected to show leadership to realizing the fulfillment of Resolution 47?
I support UNSC Resolution 47 and subsequent resolutions.
The NDP stands in solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and intends to use all available political platforms permissible under the Rule of Law and diplomatic means and ways to facilitate a peaceful resolution to this issue.
We will support efforts by Canada to:
- lead diplomatic efforts at the U.N. to de-escalate the situation in accordance with all relevant U.N. resolutions;
- mobilize the international community to bring relief to the victims of this humanitarian crisis;
- call upon the parties to enter into peace talks concerning Kashmir; and,
- establish a Special Parliamentary Committee to examine all aspects of the India-Pakistan relationship concerning Kashmir and Jammu, including but not limited to, consular, economic, legal, security and diplomatic relations.
2/ Are you prepared to condemn the government of India’s Domicile Law, and its settlement-colonization underway in Jammu and Kashmir, and if so, what steps would you take to hold India accountable in this regard?
Domicile and settlement colonization has caused immense hardship to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
India’s Domicile Law reverses many of the withdrawal efforts included under UN Resolution 47.
I plan to leverage Canada’s relationship with India to uphold the Rule of Law and the fundamental human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
3/ What steps would you take to ensure India immediately restores 4G internet access and maintains this service?
While 4G internet service has been restored to Kashmir and Jammu as of February 2021, there is nothing to say that it won’t be shut down again.
The NDP wants to create a right to high speed internet for Canadians.
If internet services are ever shut down again in Jammu and Kashmir, we will urge the Government of India to restore it once more as we consider this to be a breach of basic rights.
We will also remind the Government of India of its previous public statements about encouraging investment, creating jobs and bringing the state on par with the rest of the country.
4/ Especially in light of COVID-19 and variants including delta, are you prepared to request that India end pre-emptive imprisonment and free all political prisoners?
What steps would you take to ensure the ICRC has access to prisoners being held both within Indian Occupied Kashmir and in India, and to the prisoners’ families?
The way in which India is applying its Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 directly contravenes the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
As a human rights lawyer for the last twenty years, I condemn these inhumane actions against political prisoners.
I will remind the Government of India that political opposition is natural and to refrain from imprisoning the people of Jammu and Kashmir simply because they have different ideologies.
If those that are wrongfully imprisoned are not released, I will push for this issue to be addressed by the United Nations.
Whatever resolutions are put forward will need to be supported by a majority of countries to then place pressure on India to respect International Law, including applicable conventions, international human rights standards and the Rule of Law.
5/ What steps would you take to insist upon compliance with international legal obligations as part of Canada’s ongoing relationship with India, especially in trade, defense, and counterterrorism?
I will consider pushing for the use of sanctions if the situation worsens.
Similar to the NDP’s approach to all international affairs, if we learn that Canadian weapons are being used to oppress the people of Jammu and Kashmir, we will consider imposing a military embargo on India.
6/ What proactive work with the UN would you support Canada taking towards implementation of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir?
Canada needs to engage in substantial lobbying efforts with other countries through the UN.
We need to create a coalition of countries willing to hold India to account for its treatment of people in Jammu and Kashmir and to highlight the negative impacts of India’s actions taken against Jammu and Kashmir on its bilateral and multilateral relations.
I would also push the UN to reconsider its own approach to supporting self-determination.
The UN must identify tangible ways in which it can support unrecognized states that struggle to have existing border states recognize their right to self-determination.
The UN released a report in 2018 that exposes the atrocities the Indian government committed against the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
While this report sheds light on the issue, the UN lacks teeth and has failed to provide effective support to any unrecognized/ breakaway states in recent history.
We need international institutions that can act as leaders and that will demonstrate the power to hold states to account for their crimes against humanity.
7/ What leadership would you be prepared to take in regard to combating islamophobia, and the labeling of those who speak up as human rights defenders as terrorists?
As a multicultural country that is becoming increasingly diverse thanks to immigration, Canada is well-positioned to become a leader in the fight against Islamophobia.
The Government of Canada can engage in country-wide campaigns to educate and explain the differences between the teachings of Islam and terrorism. In these educational campaigns, we will explicitly consider the implications of the situation of Jammu and Kashmir and were possible integrate this in our assessment as it will have an impact on both Canadian foreign policy and our response to domestic terrorism within Canada.
Avneet Johal
Surrey-Newton NDP
Avneet does support the principle of self-determination for the Kashmiri people – and all people. Avneet has spoken many times about the problematic and dangerous nature of the Domicile Law. He chairs a reading group of which the recent focus has been the rise of authoritarianism around the world and steps that we can take to address these trends. Once again, we’re sorry this response is so brief and not reflective of how important this matter is. We look forward to further conversations in the future.
Surrey-Newton NDP Campaign Team
Kemal Ahmed
York Centre, NDP
Thank you for this great questionnaire. This is a very good cause and some things I haven’t fully researched , but I’ll do my best to answer.
- Regarding autonomy, this was our statement: https://www.ndp.ca/news/ndp-statement-status-human-rights-kashmir
- internet is a human right
- We believe the prison systems should not be
- we’re working on an online counter hate program to prevent terrorism
- As a Muslim, Islamophobia is very real. Human rights defenders should be allowed a voice to speak
Green Party of Canada
Felix Kongyuy
Surrey Centre, GPC
We ask you as a candidate where you in regard to Canada’s foreign policy as it relates to human rights and international law for the people of Kashmir.
1/ Do you support the principle of self-determination for the Kashmiri people afforded them through the plebiscite promised originally in United Nations Security Council resolutions 47 (1948) and in subsequent resolutions following? If so, what steps would you take if elected to show leadership to realizing the fulfillment of Resolution 47?
Yes, I will work with other parties in the parliament to ensure the UN opens the file in 1948, implement resolution 47
2/ Are you prepared to condemn the government of India’s Domicile Law, and its settlement-colonization underway in Jammu and Kashmir, and if so, what steps would you take to hold India accountable in this regard?
Yes, I will work with our partners to impose sanctions
3/ What steps would you take to ensure India immediately restores 4G internet access and maintains this service?
I will work with parliament to impose sanctions and call on other nations to support the Canadian action
4/ Especially in light of COVID-19 and variants including delta, are you prepared to request that India end preemptive imprisonment and free all political prisoners? What steps would you take to ensure the ICRC has access to prisoners being held both within Indian Occupied Kashmir and in India, and to the prisoners’ families?
Yes, it’s unacceptable to imprison opposition, and I will use the office to impose sanction. Also I will call for the release of political prisoners immediately.
5/ What steps would you take to insist upon compliance with international legal obligations as part of Canada’s ongoing relationship with India, especially in trade, defense, and counterterrorism?
Canada needs to rethink this partnership and comply with international standards, like some European Countries.
6/ What proactively work with the UN would you support Canada taking towards implementation of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir?
I will ask the foriegn ministry and the UN to immediately bring this issue up for debate in the UN, and ask other countries to support the self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
7/ What leadership would you be prepared to take in regard to combating islamophobia, and the labeling of those who speak up as human rights defenders as terrorists?
I’ve been a victim of this type of labeling and one thing Canada needs to do is pass legislation for this type of hate and racism. I’ve been advocating for one in BC and we are working towards a legislation and if elected I will push for a national law, to combat racism, islamophobia and any form of hate.
I am an ally, count on my support.
