Canadian Foreign Minister Says He Never Mentioned Sikhs Or Any Group In Addressing Global Terrorism!
“I want to make absolutely clear that at no point during my visit did I make generalized assertions about any community in Canada, including but not limited to Canadian Sikhs,” Foreign Minister John Baird stated in an open letter to the Canadian Sikh community this week
By R. Paul Dhillon
SURREY – The LINK reported last week that during Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird’s recent trip to India to sell them nuclear reactors among other things – he apparently played into the Indian government’s hand by agreeing to clamp down on Sikhs groups demanding Khalistan but in fact agreeing to do India’s dirty work of attempting to curb the free speech of Sikhs groups who have been critical of India’s human rights abuses.
In any case, Baird never really had any authority to promise any such things and it was all cooked up by the Indian media and spread by Congress cronies through NRI news media.
“I want to make absolutely clear that at no point during my visit did I make generalized assertions about any community in Canada, including but not limited to Canadian Sikhs,” Baird stated in an open letter to the Canadian Sikh community this week
“On the contrary, in any discussion of terrorism and violent extremism with the Indian government, I very deliberately distinguished between communities who have a legitimate, democratic right to pursue political causes and those small groups of radicals who may, regrettably, embrace violence or choose criminal activity to pursue their alleged goals.”
Baird went on to laud the Sikh community and the many contributions the community has made to enrich Canada’s fabric
“Indeed, our government recognizes the many important contributions of Canadians of Indian heritage, including our vibrant and diverse Sikh community. For over 100 years, Canadians of Sikh faith have worked hard and contributed to our country in all fields, including through military service. That the Sikh community has preserved, grown, and succeeded despite the challenges the community faced is a testament to the strength and determination of men and women of Sikh background across Canada,” Baird said.
“I would note, in particular, the contributions to public life of Parliamentarians of Sikh heritage, including the Honourable Tim Uppal, appointed to Cabinet by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in May 2011. Prime Minister Harper, the Cabinet and indeed all Canadians benefit from his many talents and considered perspectives.”
On September 12, while meeting his Indian counterpart SM Krishana in New Delhi, the Indian media and as an extension NRI media reported that Minister Baird vowed to prevent activities in Canada by Sikhs campaigning for separate homeland in India.
These comments immediately led to Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a human rights group, demanding resignation of Baird because his statement maligned the lawful activities of Canadian Sikhs and violates the constitution of Canada.
Since the 2010 visit of Indian Minister Kamal Nath to Canada, Canadian Sikhs have intensified the campaign to raise awareness about the Genocide of Sikhs (1984-98); against the continuous denial of justice for the victims of this Genocide and the blatant practice of impunity for all those responsible for organizing the Genocide. In June 2010 Members of Parliament presented the Sikh Genocide Petition before the House of Commons, which was supported by thousands of Canadians.
According to Jatinder Singh Grewal, Director SFJ Canada, it is alarming that voice of Sikh Citizens of Canada is being muzzled by their own Government under the pressure from foreign regime notorious for its practices of torture, extra judicial killings and impunity towards killers of Sikhs. We strongly object to India’s interference into Canada’s internal affairs and will not allow a foreign regime to dictate our government, added Grewal.
Demanding retraction of Baird’s statement and his expulsion, the NGO’s memo to PM Stephen stated that “the assurance of curbing the activities of Canadian Sikhs given by John Baird to India’s Minister for External Affairs not only violates Canada’s constitution, international law, Canadian values but it also puts into question the moral legitimacy of your government as it fails to stand with the victims of human rights violations to gain economic benefits. Mr. Prime Minister, it is your duty to protect Canadian’s “freedom of speech and expression” as provided in Charter of Rights and Freedom. As Canadians, it is frightening to see the voice of Canadian Sikhs is being muzzled by your Cabinet member John Baird.”
According to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ who practices human rights law, Canadian Government has constitutional duty to uphold Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and prosecute those committed or participated in human rights violations. Instead, Canada is shaking hands with India for economic benefits while turning a blind eye to India’s deteriorating record on human rights.
SFJ announced to release “Sikh Genocide-1984” report in November 2012 in Ottawa to appraise the House of Commons about the facts, figures and true magnitude of genocidal attacks on Sikhs and the subsequent cover up by the Indian Government.
Baird said in his letter that all Canadians expect our government to make the distinction between those seeking grievances and addressing human rights issues and those pursuing violent means, and also to do our part to fight terrorism and other forms of violent extremism. In Canada’s case, this includes cooperating with other countries to aggressively combat terrorism in all its forms.
“Canada takes its international obligations and its domestic responsibilities in this regard extremely seriously. Canada also promotes and protects freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly. These are not mutually exclusive—something not lost on me on this trip, or any other for that matter,” Baird said.
“I appreciate the opportunity to correct any impression to the contrary.”
