Canada (June 3, 2010): Sikhs for Justice applauds and welcomes NDP Leader Jack Layton’s support and solidarity with Sikhs community over the killings of innocent Sikhs in June and 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, Mr. 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”. Mr. 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. Attorney Pannun also concurred with Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Gurdwaras all over the Canada.