Canada Sikhs For Justice Applauds NDP Leader Jack Layton’s Solidarity With '84 Sikh Genocide Victims

[spnadmin]

Sikhs for Justice applauds NDP Leader Jack Layton's solidarity with with '84 Sikh genocide victims

Sikhs for Justice applauds NDP Leader Jack Layton?s solidarity with 84 Sikh genocide victims @ www.punjabnewsline.com


TORONTOSikhs for Justice applauds and welcomes NDP Leader Jack Layton’s support and solidarity with Sikhs community over the killings of innocent Sikhs in November 1984.

The statement from the NDP leader came in time with the presenting of petition in the Canadian Parliament on June 09 to recognize the killings of Sikhs in 1984 as Genocide under Article 2 of the UN Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the crime of Genocide 1948.

According to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun legal advisor to Sikhs for Justice, Layton hit the nail on the head when he reminded the fellow Canadians that it is our “obligation, as one democratic government to another, to ask why and seek honest answers”.

Layton’s statement came at a time when some other Canadian politicians have been shying away from asking any questions relating to gross human rights violations against Sikhs in India, he added

Attorney Pannun also concurred with Layton on the point that “remembrance is the tie that binds us to our past-it guides us for the challenges of the future.”

Sikhs for justice and Canadian Sikh community is glad that Layton and NDP has proved to be adherent to its great principals; Canadian legacy of respect for human rights and to the Canadian Charter of Rights which guarantees liberties and protects the freedom of speech.

The petition which will be read in the parliament on June 09, 2010 is signed by thousands of Canadians and supported by various community organizations and Gurdawars all over the Canada.

 

[Mai Harinder Kaur]

And here is a copy of the statement courtesy of SAN (Sikh Activist Network).

Here is a transcription that can be copied/pasted.

November 3, 2010

Statement by New Demoncrat Party Leader Jack Layton on the tragedy of November 1984

It is with great sorrow that I extend my sympathies on the 26th anniversary of the tragic pogroms of 1984 that targeted Sikh men, women and children.

The New Democratic Party of Canada stands in solidarity with the Sikh community, demands justice for the survivors and an explanation for why and how this community was targeted by organized mobs and government officials.

The victims and survivors of 1984 cannot sit idly by, waiting for the Indian government to recognize their plight and frustration. Rehabilitation and support for the broken
families, especially the widows, must be prioritized. The negligence of the police must be examined. The truth and those guilty must be brought to justice.

These are not demands - these are obligations of a democratic government to its citizens.

Remembrance is the tie that binds us to our past as it guides us for
the challenges of the future.

Lest we forget.