NEPEAN, Ont: A Canadian citizen was killed by Indian police on August 2. It is an utter disgrace that the Canadian government was unwilling to do anything to help.
Bhupinder Kooner, a longtime resident of Williams Lake, BC went to India on a visit two years ago. He was picked up by police and jailed, on August 22, 1988. No charges were ever brought against him. In the two years that he spent in jail, the Canadian High Commission officials visited him only once. This they did only after much lobbying on the part of the World Sikh Organisation and that only after one full year in jail, No one cared. The Canadian government stated that he was fine. He was happy. There was nothing they could do.
How can any Canadian feel safe in going abroad, if the Canadian Government cannot be counted on to lift a finger when and if they should get in trouble. It is too late to help Bhupinder Kooner, but if his case can be published so that people will know, and by knowing will demand action on the part of our government, so that something like this can never happen again.
The present government is un-willing to take either leadership or responsibility for any of its citizens abroad. We, at World Sikh Organisation hold the Department of External Affairs, headed by Joe Clark particularly responsible for their laisez faire attitude. We have been afraid of a “false encounter” situation for Mr. Kooner, ever since 1988 when he was arrested. We have repeatedly expressed this fear, and asked that something be done to protect him. Our fears have now come true. The anger and frustration that is felt by this office cannot be adequately expressed. If this is justice, God help us all.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 10, 1990
