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432-00221 (Foreign affairs)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:

  • Amendments by the Government of India to the Citizenship Act to make religion a criterion for nationality for the first time and discriminate against some religious minorities, such as Muslims and other vulnerable communities, by not granting them eligibility;
  • The creation of the National Register of Citizens and National Public Register by the Government of India has the potential to render many members of marginalized minorities stateless, as they are more likely to be unable to produce the documentation needed to prove their identity and status; and
  • Taken together, these initiatives risk the disenfranchisement and denial of basic human rights to vulnerable populations, including the Muslim minority of India, that should be of concern to all Canadians.

We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:

1. Condemn the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Public Register (NPR) and demand independent oversight to ensure that minorities are treated like all others in the registration process.

2. Demand the withdrawal of the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens, National Public Register and stress the importance of upholding the rights of all religious minorities.

3. Condemn the excessive use of force by the Police against the peaceful citizens of India.

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob Oliphant

The Government of Canada continues to closely follow the political and human rights situation in India related to the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the National Public Register (NPR).

Canada raised concerns over the implementation of the CAA, related violence, and infringements on civil rights directly with the Government of India. During the official visit of the Indian Minister of External Affairs to Ottawa on December 19, 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed the CAA and the importance of upholding the rights of all religious minorities. Similarly, in a call with the Indian Minister of External Affairs on March 2, 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed concerns over the violence in Delhi and the lives lost and recognized the steps taken by India to restore stability and to bring an end to the violence. Canada to follows the investigations into the violence in Delhi closely and has expressed the importance to see full and transparent investigations into crimes committed to ensure justice for all victims and reconciliation amongst affected communities.

Canada has monitored the update to the NRC in the state of Assam and calls to update the NPR at the federal level. Canada notes the Indian Prime Minister’s statement to the effect that no one will be rendered stateless by the process. Canada calls for peaceful and productive dialogue on these sensitive issues.

Canada continues to encourage India to uphold human rights, including respect for the rights of minorities. During the United Nations Human Rights Council’s last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process for India in May 2017, Canada recommended that India guarantee freedom of religion or belief by implementing existing laws to better protect individuals belonging to minority groups from hate speech, incitement to religious violence, discrimination on religious grounds and forcible conversions. Canada expressed concern about continued caste-based discrimination, against, inter alia, Christian, Muslim, and Hindu Dalits.

The Government of Canada is committed to the protection and promotion of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, at home and abroad. Canada will continue to engage with our international partners to champion inclusion and respect for diversity through both bilateral and multilateral fora.

Presented to the House of Commons
Han Dong (Don Valley North)
November 5, 2020 (Petition No. 432-00221)
Government response tabled
January 25, 2021
Photo - Han Dong
Don Valley North
Liberal Caucus
Ontario

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.