Condition trade deals with India

AI summary

Petitioners ask Canada to condition trade deals with India on mandatory human-rights clauses, impose targeted sanctions on extremists who incite violence against religious minorities, and pursue human-rights dialogue. The government responds that Canada prioritizes rights.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: Whereas: The US Commission on International Religious Freedom reported that various actors in India have advocated, instituted, and enforced sectarian policies seeking to establish India as an overtly Hindu state, contrary to India's secular and pluralistic foundation, posing grave danger to India's religious minorities; Christians in India are facing targeted attacks by extremists, with 486 incidents of anti-Christian attacks in 2021 according to the United Christian Forum, and over 300 attacks reported as of July 2022, including widespread documentation of Church vandalism, assaults of Church workers, and Christian congregations threatened and humiliated; Crimes against Dalit groups, including Dalit women and girls, are reported every hour according to a 2021 report by the National Crime Records Bureau, with the total cases increasing to 50,900 in 2021 compared with 50,291 in 2020; and Indian Muslims are at risk of genocide according to NGO Genocide Watch, which documented "signs and processes" of genocide in India, further supported by credible reports indicating that growing Muslim minorities are subject to planned and targeted threats, assault, sexual violence and killings. Therefore, we, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Formally ensure that all trade deals with India, including the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), are premised on mandatory human rights provisions; 2. Initiate targeted sanctions against extremists guilty of inciting violence against religious minorities in India; and 3. Promote mutually respectful and mutually beneficial human rights dialogue between Canada and India.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant The promotion and protection of human rights has long been an integral part of Canada’s foreign policy. Canada believes that human rights are the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. Canada remains a firm and consistent voice, speaking up for the protection and promotion of human rights and the advancement of democratic values. Canada’s autonomous sanctions regime is one of many tools that support this important work. In meetings with counterparts from the Government of India, Canadian officials regularly raise issues of human rights and the rule of law. The Canadian government remains committed to protecting and promoting human rights, including freedom of religion or belief and the rights of persons belonging to minority groups around the world. Canada is also committed to promoting freedom of religion or belief both internationally and at home, working with partners to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief through the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which Canada established in 2015 to encourage and deepen multilateral coordination on critical human rights issues. Through Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate and our Anti-Racism Strategy, we take action to protect the rights of religious minority communities, to combat persecution and to promote interfaith respect. No person or group should face restrictions on the freedom to practise their faith or belief, whether in the form of laws, policies, or actions or through harassment or violence. It causes suffering and division and leads to a climate of fear, intolerance, and stigmatization. As a multicultural, multi-faith, and multi-ethnic society, Canada will continue to stand with all faith and belief communities. Canada recognizes that India is a highly diverse country and a democracy with an independent judiciary. India has bodies such as the National Human Rights Commission and 28 State Human Rights Commissions which are designed to receive and process human rights complaints as directed under the Indian Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Canada’s position on human rights in India was reiterated during the Universal Periodic Review of India at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva in November 2022. Through its Universal Periodic Review submission, Canada recommended that India better protect freedom of religion or belief by investigating all cases of religious violence and discrimination on religious grounds, including against Muslims, systematically and publicly condemning such cases and by sensitizing the public regarding religious tolerance. Canada also recommended that India strengthen media freedom by ensuring that all legislation, including the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, is compliant with India’s international legal obligations under human rights law. Canada recognizes that it is the responsibility of the Government of India to fulfil its international human rights obligations and to ensure the safety and well-being of all its citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity. Canada has recently re-engaged with India on both the trade and diplomatic front. This re-engagement provides the opportunity to raise with India important issues of concern to Canada, including the rights of religious minorities. The Government of Canada is committed to creating economic opportunities through initiatives such as trade agreements so that more Canadians, including under-represented groups, can engage in, and benefit from, trade, while at the same time advancing broader social, labour, and environmental priorities for Canada, such as inclusive economic growth through international trade and the promotion of human rights. Fostering greater engagement and closer ties with countries through trade agreements allows Canada to promote core values, such as human rights, democracy, respect for the rule of law, and rules-based international trade.