NDP Urges Trudeau to raise human rights concerns with Indian leadership during G20 Summit

With Trudeau and Trade Minister Ng expected to attend the G20 summit this weekend in New Delhi, India, New Democrats are urging Prime Minister Trudeau to raise the ongoing human rights abuses in India with Prime Minister Modi.

“While in India, Prime Minister Trudeau must express Canada’s alarm at ongoing human rights abuses by the BJP government,” said NDP foreign affairs critic, Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona). “Prime Minister Modi bears responsibility for ensuring respect for human rights and civil liberties of all Indian citizens – but abuses by his government are rampant, and Canada must end its silence.”

New Democrats have urged Canada’s Liberals to ban entry to Canada to BJP officials who have called for racist and genocidal violence against Muslims and other minorities in India.

“We are the only Canadian party speaking out for the human rights of minorities in India – like Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Dalits, the LGBTQ community, women and Indigenous peoples,” said McPherson.

“Why the silence from the Liberals? Canadians expect the Canadian government to always stand up for human rights in Canada and around the world. The Liberals seem to think they can choose when and where to stand up for human rights. But Canadians expect the government to stand in solidarity with Canadians – and Indians - alarmed at human rights violations in India.”

In 2022, New Democrats called on the government to reject any G20 activities in Kashmir due to severe and ongoing human rights violations. In the year since, the Liberals have refused to answer NDP calls for Canada to condemn the BJP’s human rights record.