Despite continued diplomatic pressure from around the world to obtain the release of human rights activist, Jaswant Singh Khalra, Indian officials continue to ignore the rule of law. Two more children have disappeared while increasing international pressure on India to respect the covenants and declarations on civil and political rights continues, Perhaps the international message of peace and justice has been ignored by India.

Three days before the International Day of Human Rights, and two ‘months after the disappearance of Jaswant Singh Khalra, an 18 year old boy and a 15 year old boy in the Punjab India were abducted from their home, 12 plainclothes police officials, armed with Ak47s, were observed abducting the children from their home. Witnesses to the abduction stated that no warrants or explanations for the arrest were provided.

The father of both boys, Gurdev Singh Kaunke, who was a respected spiritual leader, disappeared on December 31, 1991 and has not been heard from since. The police claim he “disappeared” after his escape from custody a typical excuse offered by officials who receive bounties from the government for such “disappearances.” Mr. Kaunke was never involved in

any violence, but did advocate the rights of civilians, Now there is considerable fear for the safety of the mother, Mrs. Gurmail Kaur. A whole family could be wiped out by the illegal actions of the Indian government.

Arrangements are presently underway for a Canadian trade mission to India in January, 1996, yet the disappearance of civilians might go relatively unnoticed as Foreign Ministers plan commercial agendas for discussion, Will Canada point out that all of Mr, Khalra’s abductors have been publicly identified by witnesses, and Should be directly investigated? Will efforts be made to preserve the lives of two children?

It is now that the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the United States take a personal, committed interest in the protection of the civilian population of India who suffer these violations of their fundamental rights. It is now imperative that these leaders make a strong commitment to support the principles of democracy like freedom of speech, and the rule of law before addressing trade issues, Humanity is the only priority.

The Canadian Sikh community expects the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to take a firm position with India on these continuing disappearances of innocent civilians. Victims of these disappearances have numbered in the thousands in India, Many have been routinely tortured. The International community is gravely concerned  or the lives of ties two innocent children, and the many innocents who have disappeared before them, Immediate action is both necessary and imperative to preserve the lives of these innocent victims, Canada must insist upon the rule of law in countries where trade/aid agreements to be made. How safe will Canadian investors are in a country that regularly practices “enforced disappearances” as a method of intimidation?

Article extracted from this publication >> December 22, 1995