OTTAWA, Canada—Official Opposition Human Rights Critic Wayne Marston (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) made the following statement today:
New Democrats are concerned about the condition of Bapu Surat Singh, a peaceful protestor in Punjab. Bapu Surat Singh has been on hunger strike for more than six months to draw attention to the treatment of prisoners in India. He has previously been arrested and force-fed. We understand that he was re-arrested this week and forcibly relocated to a hospital.
The Punjabi-Canadian community has expressed concern about the situation of political prisoners in India, including Professor Devinderpal Singh Bhullar. We note reports of inconsistencies in the treatment of prisoners, including some being held beyond the usual terms of their sentences.
New Democrats urge the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs to raise these cases with the government of India, and to emphasize that the human and legal rights of all prisoners must be fully and equally respected.
