Fake encounters: Canada’s opposition parties express concern over threats to whistleblower cop

Wednesday, 24/07/2013

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/news/fake-encounters-canadas-opposition-parties-express-concern-over-threats-to-whistleblower-cop/83336

OTTAWA/ CHANDIGARH: Canada’s opposition parties, the NDP and Liberals have both expressed concern over the threats to Punjab Police whistleblower sub inspector Surjit Singh.

Last week, Canada’s Official Opposition, the NDP issued a statement expressing concerns over Surjit Singh’s safety and the importance of allowing him to tell his story to investigators and the courts.  This week, WSO has received correspondence from the Liberal Party of Canada’s Foreign Affairs critic Dominic LeBlanc expressing concern over the issue.

WSO had reached out to Canadian MPs to ask that they do all they can to impress upon Indian authorities to provide SI Surjit Singh who faces serious threats after revealing that he had killed 83 Sikh men in fake encounters on the orders of his superior officers in the Punjab Police.   He also provided details on brutal torture and other abuses that were perpetrated by the Punjab Police in the late 80s and early 90s.

In a letter addressed to WSO President, Prem Singh Vinning, Liberal Foreign Affairs critic Mr. Leblanc wrote:

"The Liberal Party of Canada finds Sub Inspector Singh’s allegations very troubling.  So as to properly defend this whistleblower, we call upon the Canadian government to encourage India to protect Sub Inspector Surjit Singh.  We understand the seriousness of this matter, as witnessed by the disappearance of Human Rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who received similar threats.

We are hopeful that an appropriate process can be put in place to verify the details of these allegations.  Such a process must be open, independent and credible and the investigation into these allegations must have the trust of all people involved and concerned.  There needs to be a fair and independent process that will promote meaningful truth and reconciliation.

The Liberal Party of Canada will continue to monitor the situation we look forward to working together on these important issues."

WSO will continue to monitor the situation and do all it can to ensure Surjit Singh’s story is properly investigated and the truth continues to come to light.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status.