In a high-profile diplomatic move, India has spearheaded a call for Canada to ramp up its efforts in preventing hate crimes and protecting places of worship. These recommendations were made during the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Review meeting, where diplomats from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka voiced their concerns and suggestions.
Addressing the UNHRC review meeting, Indian diplomat Mohammed Hussain acknowledged Canada’s recent legislative actions, including the National Housing Strategy Act, Accessible Canada Act, and National strategy to combat human trafficking. However, he emphasized the need for Canada to strengthen its domestic framework to curb the misuse of freedom of expression, especially when it incites violence. India also called on Canada to crack down on extremist groups, prevent attacks on places of worship belonging to religious and racial minorities, and intensify efforts to combat hate crimes and hate speech.
“We recognize Canada’s legislative achievements but urge further action,” said Hussain. “India recommends that Canada bolster its domestic framework to prevent the misuse of freedom of expression, particularly when it incites violence. It should also take measures to disallow activities of extremist groups, effectively thwart attacks on places of worship of religious and racial minorities, and fortify legislative measures against hate crimes and hate speech.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have too joined India in calling upon Canada to intensify its efforts to combat hate crimes, discrimination, and climate change. Bangladesh’s diplomat, Abdullah Al Forhad, while praising Canada’s human rights progress and its efforts to combat human trafficking, recommended that Canada step up its battle against racism, hate speech, hate crimes, and discrimination against migrants and Muslim minorities. Bangladesh representative also called for robust measures to reduce carbon emissions and international cooperation to tackle the repercussions of climate change.
Sri Lankan diplomat Thilini Jayasekara too echoed the call for Canada to join the Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers and to take actions against racial discrimination affecting immigrants’ rights. Jayasekara also highlighted the importance of countering misinformation targeting minority communities and strengthening Canada’s national mechanism for comprehensive reporting and follow-up on international human rights recommendations.
“Sri Lanka appreciates Canada’s cooperation during the visit of UN Special Rapporteurs on various issues. However, Sri Lanka recommends that Canada accede to the Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers and take measures against racial discrimination, particularly in preventing discriminatory policies affecting immigrants’ rights, including healthcare. Additionally, efforts should be made to counter misinformation targeting minority communities, and a robust national mechanism should be established for reporting and following up on international human rights recommendations,” stated Jayasekara.
