NDP asks government to send clear message to Indian government to respect human rights of prisoners

Gurbaksh Singh
Gurbaksh Singh

NEW Democrats on Wednesday called on Minister of Foreign Affairs to send a clear message to the government of India that the human rights of all those in custody must be respected.

Official Opposition Human Rights Critic Wayne Marston in a statement said: “New Democrats are concerned about the condition of Gurbaksh Singh, a peaceful protestor in Punjab who has been on hunger strike for 54 days since November 14, 2014, to highlight the treatment of prisoners detained under counterinsurgency laws in India.

“The Punjabi-Canadian community has expressed serious concern about the plight of prisoners currently in detention, including Professor Devinderpal Singh Bhullar.  Many are worried about reported irregularities in the application of the law, including holding prisoners beyond the normal term of their sentences.”