India : In a significant turn of events at the UN Human Rights Council Review meeting, diplomats from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka put forth crucial recommendations to Canada, urging the nation to strengthen its measures against hate crimes, hate speech, and discrimination.
The meeting, which aimed at fostering international cooperation on human rights issues, became a platform for proactive suggestions and observations.
India – Canada
Indian diplomat Mohammed Hussain, in his address, acknowledged Canada’s legislative enactments such as the National Housing Strategy Act and the Accessible Canada Act. However, he emphasized the need for Canada to further fortify its domestic framework to prevent the misuse of freedom of expression that incites violence.
Moreover, he called for robust measures to prevent attacks on worship places of religious and racial minorities, urging the nation to take a firm stance against groups promoting extremism.
Bangladesh diplomat Abdullah Al Forhad commended Canada’s progress in protecting human rights and combating human trafficking. However, he stressed the importance of intensifying efforts against racism, hate speech, and discrimination targeting migrants and Muslim minorities.
Al Forhad also proposed measures to reduce carbon emissions and address the adverse effects of climate change, urging Canada to consider ratifying the international convention on the protection of migrant rights.
Sri Lankan diplomat Thilini Jayasekara added her voice to the recommendations, urging Canada to accede to the Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers and take comprehensive steps against racial discrimination affecting immigrants’ rights.
She emphasized the need to counter misinformation against minority communities and strengthen the national mechanism for reporting and following up on global human rights recommendations.
The recommendations, though constructive, have sparked tensions between Canada and Bharat. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of violating the Vienna Convention, leading to the relocation of over 40 Canadian diplomats from India.
Trudeau expressed concern about the violation of international law in the context of the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, an incident India vehemently denies involvement in.
The diplomatic crisis has further escalated, with India suspending visa services in Canada, partially restored now. Over 40 diplomats, previously posted in Bharat, had to relocate amid accusations of interference in India’s internal affairs. The situation remains tense, reflecting the complexity of international relations and the delicate balance between diplomacy and human rights advocacy.
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