90 Canadian Human Rights, Faith & Civil Society Groups Condemn Anti-Muslim Genocide Incitement in India
March 1st, 2022
In an open-letter, 90 Canadian NGOs, human rights, civil society, and faith groups have expressed concern regarding ongoing human rights violations committed by India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The join-letter raises the alarm on the rising calls for genocide of Muslims by Hindutva organizations in India, now using public platforms to encourage mass violence against Muslim minorities.
The degradation of peace and security for religious and ethnic minorities has become increasingly prevalent due to Hindu nationalist groups driving individuals and mobs to commit violence against them. The letter detailed such concerning developments in India, including recent incitement to genocide by radical Hindutva leaders in India’s pilgrimage city Haridwar.
In its 2022 World Report, Human Rights Watch criticized India’s BJP-led government for politically-motivated harassment and prosecution of activists, journalists, and peaceful protesters. The Indian government’s discriminatory policies against Muslims and Christians, including the BJP's failure to act against Hindu nationalist groups, have emboldened ongoing violence with total impunity.
In the letter, signatories voiced their opposition against the abovementioned ongoing atrocity crimes and religious persecution of minorities, including:
Key Recommendations to the Canadian Government
The letter highlights Canada’s developing trade agreements with India despite a severe threat of genocide of Muslims and degradation of democratic principles. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has failed to denounce the provocation of genocide occurring in India, which calls itself “the world’s largest democracy”. The Prime Minister’s silence is a blow to Canada’s commitments and responsibilities under the UN Genocide Convention.
Join-letter signatories have called on the Canadian government to honour its commitment to the Genocide Convention by formally denouncing the ongoing incitement to genocide of Muslims in India. The urgent demands to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau include:
In an open-letter, 90 Canadian NGOs, human rights, civil society, and faith groups have expressed concern regarding ongoing human rights violations committed by India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The join-letter raises the alarm on the rising calls for genocide of Muslims by Hindutva organizations in India, now using public platforms to encourage mass violence against Muslim minorities.
The degradation of peace and security for religious and ethnic minorities has become increasingly prevalent due to Hindu nationalist groups driving individuals and mobs to commit violence against them. The letter detailed such concerning developments in India, including recent incitement to genocide by radical Hindutva leaders in India’s pilgrimage city Haridwar.
In its 2022 World Report, Human Rights Watch criticized India’s BJP-led government for politically-motivated harassment and prosecution of activists, journalists, and peaceful protesters. The Indian government’s discriminatory policies against Muslims and Christians, including the BJP's failure to act against Hindu nationalist groups, have emboldened ongoing violence with total impunity.
In the letter, signatories voiced their opposition against the abovementioned ongoing atrocity crimes and religious persecution of minorities, including:
- State-sponsored human rights violations carried out by Hindutva mobs;
- Impunity for extrajudicial killings;
- Incitement of mob lynching of Muslims and Dalits;
- Violation of civil society expression;
- Infringement on Constitutional rights
- Systemic discrimination against Christians, Dalits, Sikhs, Muslims, Tribal and Indigenous peoples;
- Nationalist group constant inciting of communal riots, economic boycotts of Muslims, and destruction of mosques and churches
Key Recommendations to the Canadian Government
The letter highlights Canada’s developing trade agreements with India despite a severe threat of genocide of Muslims and degradation of democratic principles. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has failed to denounce the provocation of genocide occurring in India, which calls itself “the world’s largest democracy”. The Prime Minister’s silence is a blow to Canada’s commitments and responsibilities under the UN Genocide Convention.
Join-letter signatories have called on the Canadian government to honour its commitment to the Genocide Convention by formally denouncing the ongoing incitement to genocide of Muslims in India. The urgent demands to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau include:
- Ensuring that Canada ends its longstanding silence over human rights abuses in India and officially denouncing open calls for genocide made by Hindutva groups against Indian Muslims
- The participation of human rights experts during any foreign affairs and trade meetings and engagements with India going forward.