Mr. Speaker, 30 years ago, human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra stood here in Ottawa to urge parliamentarians to pay attention to the disappearances and unlawful killings of thousands of Sikhs in Punjab, India. Just months after that visit, he was abducted, tortured and killed for his courage and conviction.
Before his tragic death, he shared a powerful message, one that continues to inspire people around the world today. He reminded us that we must never stay silent in the face of injustice.
As we honour Jaswant Singh Khalra's courage and sacrifice, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to truth, justice and human rights, the values that form the foundation of our democracy.