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WSO Reminds India to Clean up its "Abysmal" Human Rights Record Rather than Complain to Silence Canadian Sikhs
Posted by: Jaspal Singh Bal (IP Logged)
Date: April 26, 2008 08:04PM

World Sikh Organization of Canada issued this press releae at 20:54est on April 26, 2008.

[www.marketwire.com]


Apr 26, 2008 20:54 ET

WSO Reminds India to Clean up its "Abysmal" Human Rights Record Rather than Complain to Silence Canadian Sikhs

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 26, 2008) - The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) expresses concern at unacceptable attempts by the Indian Government to silence "freedom of speech", a fundamental right of Canadian-Sikhs.

In response to the display of banners supporting advocacy of Sikh self-determination in India at recent Sikh Vaisakhi parades in Surrey and Rexdale, Indian Consul General, Ashok Kumar, has told Canadian Press, "We are in touch with Canadian authorities on a regular basis, and we would like to see more progress on this issue... so that this signage, these slogans, these banners are not displayed."

Such interference in the freedom of speech of Sikh Canadians is completely unacceptable. "Mr. Kumar is reminded that unlike in his native India, freedom of speech is a jealously guarded right in Canada, and his desire to silence the voice of Canadian-Sikhs will not be tolerated by Canadians" said Gurpreet Singh Bal, President WSO Canada.

Since 1984, the Indian Government, in its attempt to crush the Sikh freedom movement in India, has killed tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children. Just few weeks ago, Human Rights Watch reported on India's "abysmal" human rights record, where the State is responsible for torture, arbitrary detentions, killings and disappearances.

"Rather than toeing the Indian Government propaganda, the Canadian Government, and other elected leaders need to learn to defend Canadians' basic right to freedom of speech and freedom of association," said Gian Singh Sandhu, Senior Policy Advisor of WSO.

WSO is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic.

WSO has been condemning all kinds of violence since its inception and firmly believe that Sikh Canadians have a right to peacefully commemorate genocide inflicted on their brethrens and keep their cause & memory alive. Before interfering in Canadian affairs, the Indian Government is advised to clean up its own act.


For more information, please contact

World Sikh Organization of Canada
Maj (retd.) Jasbeer Singh
Media Relations
(780) 457-3333 or Cell. (780) 235-6000
Email: magmaint@hotmail.com

or

World Sikh Organization of Canada
Gian Singh Sandhu
Senior Policy Advisor
(250) 305-2440
Email: gian@jackpinegroup.com

 



Re: WSO Reminds India to Clean up its "Abysmal" Human Rights Record Rather than Complain to Silence Canadian Sikhs
Posted by: mandeep (IP Logged)
Date: April 28, 2008 11:27AM

hey why not put pressure on the canadian govt to question terrorists like kps gill and jagdesh tytler

doesn't canada's govt claim their fighting war against all terrorism, well lets hold them to it and get them to question indian politicans who have killed inocont, cause a terrorist is a person who kills inocent people for political gain, then india's govt is a terrorist govt, then we need to pressure the canadian govt to hold india accountable.

 



Re: WSO Reminds India to Clean up its "Abysmal" Human Rights Record Rather than Complain to Silence Canadian Sikhs
Posted by: sidhu.hcl (IP Logged)
Date: April 28, 2008 09:05PM

"Freedom is expression" is right. I think wht Mr kumar stated was an act of saving his own ass. ther's nothing serious abt it .

sikh's have right to have its own country "khalistan" and no one can stop us. But the way to conquer should be discussed 1st. In my view in order to reach our objective we should ploitical way rather thn going for violence and terrorism.

Sikhs shld increase their detoriating population by having atleast 4 children. this wil help the community to have its say in a democratic country like India whre heads get counted.

 





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