During a UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting on Friday, India urged Canada to strengthen its legal framework to prevent the misuse of freedom of expression to incite violence and promote extremism.
The comments come amid strained India-Canada ties, which have been at an all-time low since Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made public allegations that the Indian government was behind the killing of Canadian citizen and pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.
Overview
In the spirit of “constructive dialogue,” India offered three suggestions to Canada.
Indian diplomat Mohammed Hussain K.S. said that Ottawa should “further strengthen the domestic framework to prevent misuse of freedom of expression for inciting violence and disallow activities of groups which are promoting extremism.”
At the UN Human rights council, India asks Canada:
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) November 12, 2023
-To prevent misuse of freedom of expression
-Disallow activities of groups promoting extremism
-Prevent attacks on religious places of minorities
-Prevent hate crime
Remarks by Indian diplomat Mohammed Hussain: pic.twitter.com/6AI7XBm5xY
He also called on Canada to “effectively prevent attacks on places of worship of religious and racial minorities,” and “strengthen legislative and other measures to address hate crimes and hate speech.”
Furthermore, New Delhi suggested that Ottawa “Put an end to structural discrimination against children belonging to indigenous groups and address disparities in access to services by all children.”
UNHRC Review
India’s suggestions came during Canada’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UNHRC on 10 November.
Forty-seven members of the UNHRC in Geneva conduct the process, which is undertaken periodically to evaluate the human rights records of UN members.
Canada was among the 14 countries reviewed during the current session.
India-Canada Ties
Diplomatic ties between the two countries have been at an all-time low since Trudeau’s accusations in September.
New Delhi has denied the allegations, called them “motivated,” and asked Canada to produce evidence in the matter.
Additionally, India asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country, following which 41 Canadian diplomats were withdrawn amid threats of their diplomatic immunity being stripped.
India also temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens.
However, in his recent comments, wherein he reiterated the previous allegations, Trudeau said that Canada did not want to have a “fight” with India, but work constructively on this matter.