Sikhs and Advocacy: A Continued Commitment
to Human Rights
Remarks
by Hon. David Kilgour, MP for Edmonton
Southeast and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
to The World Sikh Organisation
“Moving
Toward a More Just Society”
Parliament
Hill, Ottawa
June
5, 2003
Wahe guru ji ka Khalsa
Wahe guru ji ke Fateh
It
is always a privilege to address the
Sikh community, but it is truly an honour
to speak to you about human rights given
your long, brave, and unwavering commitment
to respecting each other and your fellow
man regardless of faith, race, or condition.
Since
addressing you at this event last year,
I was fortunate enough to travel to
India and Punjab.
While visiting the new Canadian
Consulate in Chandigargh, I was moved
and inspired by how much this tie to
Canada meant to the Punjabi residents. During the process of establishing the Consulate, many Sikhs
on both sides of the globe voiced gratitude
and excitement over the new connection
of communities who together could be
more effective in human rights advocacy.
This time also makes the theme
of the evening all the more poignant.
June marks a very trying period
for the Sikh community; it is the month
that saw the martyrdom of Guru Arjun
Dev ji and the storming of the Golden
Temple.
The past two years have seen
the resurfacing of old challenges with
the prohibition of Kirpans on airplanes,
new immigration laws and procedures,
and even violent attacks on turbaned
Sikhs.
The reaction of the Sikh community
to these recent obstacles has been consistent
with the reaction of Sikhs throughout
history to stand up and strengthen
our society by
challenging its prejudices.
The
community that fought for the right
to wear a turban while serving our country
in the R.C.M.P. challenged Canada’s
commitment to cultural pluralism.
The community that supported
a young boy who fought for his right
to carry the kirpan to school helped
define religious freedom within the
educational system.
The community that not only speaks
of, but acts for truth, equality,
and justice makes our nation and global
community a more vibrant and just place
not only for Sikhs, but for all of us. For this, the Sikh community has my thanks and respect.
The
fact that you are raising concerns over
human rights and trade is a testament
to your ability to adapt historic concerns
to modern phenomena.
The issue is indeed a serious
one.
Asia‑Pacific has become
Canada’s second largest trade partner,
and as such, we have a responsibility
to apply our concern over human rights
violations to our economic relationships
in the region.
It
would be negligent to attempt to find
a balance between human rights advocacy
and the promotion of trade without recognizing
three points.
First,
our commitment to human rights advocacy
should not be compromised in an effort
to increase trade.
The argument has been made that
the primary goal of the government ought
to be to promote trade, and if means to
that end includes turning a blind eye
to human rights violations, so be it.
I
could not disagree more.
Fundamental rights -- the right
to life, the right to religious freedom,
the right to live in a system where torture
is absolutely prohibited, and the right
to cultural heritage are simply non-negotiable.
Second,
promoting human rights protection and
international trade are not mutually exclusive.
Quite the opposite, I would argue
that in most cases, Canada is far more
influential with states with which we
have strong economic ties.
Canada has been one of the most
effective human rights advocates in the
world largely because other states trust
us, and this trust is built on interdependence,
familiarity, and common interest– all
things developed and strengthened by trade.
Furthermore,
human rights are absolutely tied to standard
of living.
According to the United Nations
Development Programme, 1.2 billion people
live on less than $1 a day.
Poverty has denied them the right
to an education, the right to freedom
of movement, and for an estimated
24 000 people each and every day,
poverty denies the right to life.
1
Canadian trade with the Asia‑Pacific
countries helps combat poverty and enable
individuals to live the rights they deserve.
In
2002, the trade between Canada and the
Asia-Pacific region amounted to $70 billion
(CDN).
This money created jobs and opportunities
for people to escape the grip of poverty.
It is clear that promoting trade
and ensuring that people live with basic
human rights are in fact complimentary
and must be approached hand in hand.
Third,
this is not a problem that exists solely
because of governments, nor is it a problem
that can be fixed exclusively by government
lobbying or action.
Corporations need to act in a socially
responsible manner, and civil society
needs to promote justice and equality
rather than reinforce prejudices and divides.
The most effective way to guarantee
rights and freedoms is with civil society
acting positively as the eyes, ears, and
mouth of the cause.
In the age of the nation state,
civil groups and NGOs are the most effective
means of monitoring and reporting what
goes on within other countries.
I understand the WSO is attempting
to gain NGO status.
With our without it, I am sure
that you will continue to speak out for
those who are unable to speak, and bring
their plight to our attention and conscience.
Together, governments and civil
society stand the best chance at finding
and helping those in need.
This
past January, I had the privilege of traveling
to India, and visiting the city of Chandigargh
in the Punjab.
The friendliness, ease and warmth
of the many teachers, businessmen, children,
and community members did little to betray
that you have been fighting for over 500
years for human rights.
It is truly an inspiration, and
I am honoured to join you in this fight.
