In a significant diplomatic move, India has spearheaded recommendations for Canada to strengthen measures to prevent attacks on places of worship and effectively tackle hate speech.
The proposals were presented at the UN Human Rights Council Review meeting, where diplomats from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka shared their insights and recommendations.
Indian diplomat Mohammed Hussain was introduced to legislative provisions such as the National Housing Strategy Act and the Accessable Canada Act while discussing the issue at the Council meeting.
“We note the enactment of the National Housing Strategy Act, the Accessible Canada Act and the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Strategy,” Hussain said at the UNHRC review meeting.
India has also recommended that Canada strengthen its domestic framework to prevent abuse of freedom of expression, especially incitement to violence. In addition, India has urged Canada to ban the activities of groups that promote extremism, prevent attacks on places of worship of religious and racial minorities, and strengthen measures to combat hate crimes and hate speech.
India recommends that Canada: further strengthen the domestic framework to prevent abuses of freedom of expression, incitement to violence and prohibit activities of groups that promote extremism; effectively prevent attacks on places of worship of religious and racial minorities, strengthen legislation and other measures to tackle hate crimes and hate speech,” he also said.
Diplomat Abdullah Al Forhad of Bangladesh commended Canada’s progress in human rights protection and recognized the continued implementation of its anti-trafficking strategy. However, Bangladesh has recommended that Canada step up efforts against racism, hate speech, hate crimes and discrimination against migrants and Muslim minorities. They also called for action to reduce carbon emissions and urged international cooperation in tackling the effects of climate change.
Despite the cooperation, Bangladesh makes recommendations to Canada: intensify its efforts to combat racism, hate speech, hate crimes and discrimination against migrants and Muslim minorities, take necessary measures to reduce carbon emissions; strengthen international cooperation in addressing the negative impacts of climate change. climate change; and consider ratifying an international convention on the protection of the rights of all migrants, workers and members of their families,” said Al Forhad of Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan diplomat Thilini Jayasekara also recommended that Canada accede to the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers, take action against racial discrimination affecting the rights of immigrants, counter disinformation against minority communities and strengthen the national strengthen comprehensive reporting and follow-up mechanism. -on international human rights recommendations.
“Sri Lanka welcomes the cooperation extended by the Government of Canada during the visit of UN Special Rapporteurs on contemporary forms of slavery and on the rights of indigenous peoples. Sri Lanka recommends that Canada accede to the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Second, continue to take action against racial discrimination, in particular to prevent discriminatory policies and regulations that affect the rights of immigrants, including in the area of healthcare,” the Sri Lankan diplomat said.
“Third, continue to take action to counter disinformation against minority communities. Four: Strengthen its national mechanism for comprehensive reporting and follow-up on recommendations received from international human rights mechanisms and treaty obligations. We wish Canada continued success in its UPR engagement.” Added Thilini Jayasekara.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced a fresh tone to bilateral ties with India amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff, reaffirming his earlier claim of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Earlier on Saturday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of violating the Vienna Convention by kicking out 40 diplomats even as his country reached out to the former and other global partners to get to the bottom of the killing.
Canada’s prime minister issued a warning, saying that if larger countries can “violate international law without consequence,” it will make the world “more dangerous.”
However, Trudeau added that Canada wants to “work constructively” with India, adding that Ottawa “will always defend the rule of law.”
Last month, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India and also suspended visa and consular services in the consulates of Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru in the wake of the Union government’s decision to strip them of immunity.
This came after New Delhi raised concerns about the disproportionate number of diplomats in India to Ottawa and sought ‘parity’ in diplomatic strength.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly accused India of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and said Ottawa has expelled 41 diplomats and their 42 family members from India amid the ongoing diplomatic saber-rattling between the two countries.
However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded by saying there were no violations of international norms in India and sought parity in the mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa.
Earlier, in September this year, Trudeau alleged the involvement of “agents of the Indian government” in the killing of the Khalistani terrorist.
India dismissed the charges as “absurd and motivated” and expelled a Canadian diplomat after Ottawa asked a senior Indian diplomat to leave.
New Delhi also suspended visa services to Canada, but later decided to resume services for four categories after a “considered review of the security situation”.
Strikingly, according to the MEA, Canada has not been able to provide any evidence to substantiate its claims about the murder.
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