Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to present a petition today on behalf of Canadians from across the country who are concerned about human rights protections in India. The petitioners are stating that according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, various actors are supporting and enforcing sectarian policies to establish India as a Hindu state, and they are concerned about the treatment of Christians in India. They are concerned about the targeting of churches, attacks on church workers and the threatening and humiliation of congregations. Petitioners are also concerned about the crimes against the Dalit groups, including Dalit women and girls. They say that crimes are increasing in that respect. They are also concerned about the treatment of Indian Muslims and say that they are at risk of genocide, assault and sexual violence.
The petitioners are asking the government to ensure that all trade deals with India are premised on mandatory human rights provisions, that extremists are sanctioned and that the government promotes a respectful human rights dialogue between Canada and India.