Alleging threat to Sikh community and media Complaint lodged against Indian diplomats in Canada

Toronto (Canada, March 31, 2015)

Ahead of PM Modi's much awaited visit to Canada, Sikh rights group filed a complaint with Canada's Foreign Minister against Indian diplomats for threatening the members of Sikhs community and media. Rights Group “Sikhs For Justice” (SFJ) complaint asked Honorable Robert Nicholson to declare Indian High Commissioner and Consulate Generals of Toronto and Vancouver as "persona non grata".

Alleging the violation of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Sikh rights group has filed the complaint under articles 9 and 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 which governs the conduct and working of diplomats and foreign officials in Canada.

“Based on the violations of Article 41.1 of the Vienna Convention, Canada should declare Indian envoys Vishnu Prakash, Akhilesh Mishra and Ravi Shankar Aisola, as "persona non grata" as per Article 9 of the Vienna Convention”, the SFJ Complaint asks Canada’s Foreign Minister.

SFJ complaint alleges that "After the announcement of PM Modi's upcoming visit to Canada, officials from Indian High Commission and Consulate Generals in Canada reached out to the Sikh organizations asking them to warn their community that anyone who protested or made noise during PM Modi's upcoming visit, will be denied visa to India. Several radio talk show hosts catering to the Sikh community have also received messages from Indian diplomats warning them not to criticize PM Modi".

"The Indian diplomats lead by High Commissioner Vishnu Parkash have embarked upon a fierce campaign of intimidation and coercion against the members of the Sikh community particularly media to ensure their silence on the issue of PM Modi's involvement in the 2002 massacre of Muslims in the state of Gujarat", the complaint further alleges.

According to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ, "the voice of Sikhs is not only covertly but also overtly muzzled by the Indian officials stationed in Canada. Government of Canada is duty bound to uphold laws which guarantees freedom of speech and ensure that no foreign diplomat violates Canadian Sikhs right to freedom of expression".

“The threat to deny VISA to the Sikh community and members of the media is a ongoing practice by Indian officials to force silence on Canadian Sikhs but We will not allow this to continue” added Pannun.