JUNE10,2010
Petitions to Canadian Government
HON. Andrew Kania (Brampton West, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, bonjour, Sat Sri Akal, Namast.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, this petition was supposed to be presented yesterday when hundreds of Canadians travelled to Ottawa to remember the thousands of Sikhs killed in India in November of 1984. However, prior to the hearing of petitions, the Conservatives brought a procedural motion and then voted in favour of skipping past petitions, so the tabling of this petition yesterday was blocked.
Today, one day late, I have the honour of presenting a petition signed by thousands of Canadians remembering the thousands of Sikhs killed in India over two days in November of 1984.
Members of Parliament are not allowed to endorse the contents of a petition, however, in tabling this petition, I do wish to offer a few personal words about this tragedy.
First, I would like to remember the victims and their families and offer my sincere condolences. This petition is truly about them.
Second, I would like to use this solemn occasion to reflect on Canadian ideals of justice and tolerance. We hold those values to our hearts as we remember and honour those who were victims of hatred.
The essence of this petition is the pursuit of justice, closure and reconciliation within a peaceful and united India.
Hon. Sukh Dhaliwal (Newton—North Delta, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Canadians I am presenting a petition on the tragic events of 1984 in India. Many Canadians across the country are marking this solemn occasion.
The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to: recognize that an organized campaign of violence, rapes and killings took place in India in November 1984 against the Sikh community, resulting in the deaths of thousands; call upon the government of India to take all reasonable measures to bring all persons responsible for this organized campaign of violence to justice, including criminal prosecution against the responsible persons, following due process of law; formally recognize that this organized killing spree resulting in the deaths of thousands is genocide, as per the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Hon. Gurbax Malhi (Bramalea—Gore—Malton, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, in June 1984, the most holy place of the Sikh religion, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and many other Sikh places of worship were dishonoured. Thousands of innocent children, women and men who were there to mark a holy day were killed.
In November 1984, an anti-Sikh pogrom of violence, rapes and killings took place in New Delhi and many other Indian cities, resulting in the deaths of thousands more.
In June 1985, Air India flight 182 was blown up in mid-air and over 300 people died.
I strongly urge the Indian and Canadian governments to take all reasonable measures to ensure that justice prevails for innocent victims' families. Both countries should work together to ensure that such tragedies never happen again.
I would invite all my colleagues to take a moment to reflect upon the many innocent lives lost in 1984 and 1985.
Hon. Navdeep Bains (Mississauga—Brampton South, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, in the days following the assassination of Indira Gandhi, thousands of innocent Sikh men, women and children were slaughtered in the streets of Delhi and other parts of India. A senior researcher at Human Rights Watch writes, “Delhi was a scene of carnage, yet 25 years later the victims are still waiting for justice”.
However, it is important to remember that all humanity was not lost as Hindu, Muslim and Christian families risked their lives in order to shelter and rescue their Sikh neighbours from the blood-thirsty organized mobs.
The real issue according to Human Rights Watch is, “The failure of successive Indian governments to bring to justice those responsible for mass revenge attacks on Sikhs after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi 25 years ago is a severe blot on India's legal system and democracy”.
As Canadians, we will always fight for justice and the protection of human rights, two ideals in any democracy.
India's democracy will be made stronger when it pursues reconciliation and accountability, but none of this will be possible without first making an honest search for the truth.
Hon. Ms. Kirsty Duncan (Etobicoke North, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, let each of us in this House take a minute to respectfully and solemnly remember the thousands killed, many of them innocent bystanders, in 1984.
Canada is celebrated around the world for our diversity, diversity which would never have allowed such events to occur.
Today we pray for those who were killed, mothers, fathers, siblings, and we pray for those who survived but who have to endure a trauma the rest of us cannot imagine, and for those who bravely risked their lives to save others. We meet to express together what cannot be endured alone. We must continue to work toward ending suffering and building peace.
Let all of us here in Canada pledge our determination to protect human rights as the best way to remember those who lost their lives. Let all of us embody Guru Nanak's message of universal love and peace.
Hon. Ms. Bonnie Crombie (Mississauga—Streetsville, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, we are constantly reminded of the events against human rights, and religious intolerance around the world.
We remember the invasion of the Golden Temple in Amritsar against the Sikh faith in 1984, then quickly following, the bombing of Air India flight 182 over the shores of Ireland. We still deeply mourn these losses.
Last year, thousands of innocent Sri Lankans lost their lives in defenceless attacks against humanity.
This past Christmas Eve, six members of the Coptic community were shot down for practising their faith.
Not even two weeks ago, Ahmadiyya Muslims worshipping and attending prayers on a Friday in Lahore, Pakistan faced violent and brutal attacks.
We have a duty to defend against religious intolerance and the violation of human rights that these deplorable acts of violence, fear and intimidation represent. I urge all members to join together today in condemning these violent acts and call on all governments around the world to bring justice to the perpetrators to ensure religious freedom for all people.
