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432-00617 (Foreign affairs)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

WHEREAS:

  • Canada and India share a longstanding and peaceful bilateral relationship;
  • Canadians uphold basic human rights, such as the freedom of expression and the freedom of peaceful assembly, as the hallmarks of a just, democratic, and pluralistic society;
  • Farmers from the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana have, for several months, been peacefully protesting a domestic legislative change that affects their agricultural enterprises;
  • Recent footage and images from India show violent aggressions carried out on protesting farmers that appear to be perpetrated by state police and security forces.

THEREFORE:

We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to express condemnation of the violence perpetrated against peacefully protesting Indian farmers, and to convey our sincere belief in the rights of individuals to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly.

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob Oliphant

Canada is committed to the growth and diversification of our strategic partnership with India through constructive and forward-looking bilateral dialogue. Canada attaches great importance to protecting and advancing human rights, and the values of democracy, diversity, pluralism, and rule of law. These values are reflected in our engagement with all international partners, including the Government of India.

The Government of Canada has continued to monitor protests by farmers in India, including the multiple dialogues between the government and farmers union representatives and the intervention of the Supreme Court of India in January 2021. Canada welcomes the Government of India’s commitment to ongoing dialogue to discuss issues of concern.

Presented to the House of Commons
Brad Vis (Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon)
March 8, 2021 (Petition No. 432-00617)
Government response tabled
April 21, 2021
Photo - Brad Vis
Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon
Conservative Caucus
British Columbia

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