Over 50 Human Rights Groups Call on Prime Minister Carney to Condemn India’s Collective Punishment in Kashmir
May 22nd, 2025
In May 2025, following the tragic Pahalgam attack on April 22nd, over 50 Canadian civil society, faith-based, and human rights organizations issued a joint letter to newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney. This was in response to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s sweeping crackdown against civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir. Our letter outlined documented concerns regarding the use of collective punishment, mass detentions, destruction of civilian homes, and restrictions on press and internet access. Alongside global human rights organizations, we called on Canada’s government to take a position grounded in international law, including its obligations under the ICCPR and the Arms Trade Treaty. We also called on Prime Minister Carney to publicly support the right of Kashmiris to self-determination as outlined in existing UN Security Council resolutions.
While the full letter below was submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, we urge Canadians to continue raising the issue of Kashmir with their local representatives.
In May 2025, following the tragic Pahalgam attack on April 22nd, over 50 Canadian civil society, faith-based, and human rights organizations issued a joint letter to newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney. This was in response to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s sweeping crackdown against civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir. Our letter outlined documented concerns regarding the use of collective punishment, mass detentions, destruction of civilian homes, and restrictions on press and internet access. Alongside global human rights organizations, we called on Canada’s government to take a position grounded in international law, including its obligations under the ICCPR and the Arms Trade Treaty. We also called on Prime Minister Carney to publicly support the right of Kashmiris to self-determination as outlined in existing UN Security Council resolutions.
While the full letter below was submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, we urge Canadians to continue raising the issue of Kashmir with their local representatives.