iNDICA NEWS BUREAU–
Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) has expressed “deep concern” about the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the involvement of the Indian government in the assassination of a Sikh Canadian citizen.
Trudeau on Thursday, September 21, said his country stands by the international rules-based order and his allegation on India’s role in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
“There are credible reasons to believe that agents of the government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil. That is… there is something of utmost foundational importance in a country’s rule of law in a world where international rules-based order matters… we have rigorous and independent judges and robust processes.”
“Like the entire world, we too are taken aback by these revelations. If Canada’s claims are substantiated, it is a profound and deeply troubling development,” said Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director of HfHR.
READ: indica’s comprehensive coverage of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegations and the aftermath
“We have persistently highlighted the erosion of democracy, and persecution of dissenters under India’s Hindu nationalist PM Narendra Modi, and time and time again we have seen targeted campaigns of hate, harassment, and death threats against those who speak out about the situation in India, even from abroad. These latest revelations by the Canadian government amplify our anxieties about the safety of minority communities and rights advocates beyond Indian shores, and underscore the need for the international community to prioritize human rights in its relationship with India.”
Hindus for Human Rights is a nonprofit founded in 2019 that advocates pluralism and civil and human rights in South Asia and North America. It works with a broad coalition of partners to educate elected officials and the public in the United States about civil and human rights issues in South Asia.
Hindus for Human Rights has also expressed concern on what these allegations may imply for dissidents and critics of the current Indian government living abroad. “It’s a poignant reminder of how Hindu nationalism contradicts our core Hindu values of non-violence and radical inclusiveness,” Viswanath pointed out.
Reiterating apprehensions about both transnational repression and digital censorship, she emphasized, “This situation, combined with credible proof of critics being silenced on social media platforms, deepens our unease regarding the Indian government’s endeavors to muffle its overseas critics, encompassing members of HfHR and our coalition partners. While we acknowledge that hate speech must never be condoned, upholding freedom of expression is paramount. We urge global governments to follow PM Trudeau’s lead, ensuring a thorough examination of the Indian government’s attempts to suppress voices beyond its territory.”
HfHR has called for complete transparency and collaboration from the Indian government in this investigation and has expressed hope for a just resolution to uphold the values of democracy and human rights.
