An interesting conjunction of news items this week. Several Russian dissident journalists in Europe seem to have been poisoned by Russian agents. At the same time, Prime Minister Trudeau is accusing the Indian government of assassinating Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh dissident in Canada. On the surface, these seem to be similar events. An expatriate or refugee from a repressed group has been attacked on foreign soil.
The Differences
In the first place, the Russian journalists have been accused of no crimes except disagreeing with the government. Nijar, on the other hand, has been accused of murder and other acts of terrorism.
And in the case of Punjab, according to one Indian reporter, there is only lukewarm support for an independent Kalistan there. As we have seen in other areas in the post-colonial world, often members of the diaspora are more fervent nationalists than their countrymen and women who stayed at home. In British Columbia we make jokes about Victoria being more British than anywhere in England, but the concept is there. A more serious example is Quebec, where many francophones are more rabid about their language than even the Académie Français in Paris.
But you cannot lead an independence movement from outside your country. You simply don’t have the credibility. Especially when you have emigrated with your family and set up a new life elsewhere. It is tempting and easy to resort to violence when you’re living in a safe country. And you can get in very serious trouble if you commit terrorist acts back home.
The Rules of Mutual Defence
Having a lasting global peace is dependent on the mature and educated people of the world agreeing that, despite their many cultural differences, all humans have certain inalienable rights. And all countries must act in accord on these topics. The interwoven net of bilateral extradition treaties is a great step in this direction.
Countries that stay out of these treaties, or act against them, are dragging us back towards anarchy. In this case, the solution to the original problem sounds simple. A new Canadian citizen was accused of terrorist acts in his country of origin. We have an extradition treaty with that country. They need to start legal proceedings to solve the problem.
Not That Simple
The unfortunate truth is that only six criminals have been extradited to India in the last 20 years. There is a strong push to take Canada out of the agreement because of India’s human rights violations. India did start a legal proceeding, but Canada ignored it.
And Then There’s India
India is classified as a “developing nation.” This means, among other things, that their government, ostensibly a democracy, is not at the same level of democratic principles and human rights as, for example, holier-than-thou Canada. India has a bad record of religious strife and women’s rights violations. They’re at least 50 years behind Canada, which last dealt with a serious terrorist threat in the early 1970s.
It is notable that up until recently, India has taken advantage of its neutral policies to cosy up to Russia. Of course, Canada is happy to have US for support in this case.
In other Indian news this week, a member of the governing party accused a Muslim member of parliament of being a terrorist. Either India has a serious terrorist problem, or maybe it’s a convenient label for any opponent of the government. Perhaps a little of each.
Points To Ponder
Of course, the more cynical of us have noted that this is a convenient opportunity to show strength against foreign countries who would bring their political actions to Canadian soil. An attempt to take the heat out of accusations that the Liberals don’t do enough against China.
It has also taken media attention away from the governing party’s slide in the polls. The Conservative leader has had little to say except to demand evidence that, clearly, the government cannot reveal. However, the rules allow the Leader of the Opposition to be sworn in as a member of the Privy Council to receive that information. Of course, that would tie his hands, so I doubt he will take that route. Complaining in ignorance suits his style better.
Cynics will also see that while the Sikh community complains about Indian lobbyists pushing that nation’s projects, Sikh Canadians constitute enough voters (and the leader of a major political party) to give them reasonable clout in parliament, as well.
And I wouldn’t be true to my own beliefs if I didn’t observe that when it comes to influence, India’s growing economic power, which mainly benefits the rich in Canada, is much more likely to swing the government than campaigns for the rights of the average citizen, whether it be in Canada or Punjab. Only the legal system can separate itself from the politics.
Terrorism
The take-home for the average Canadian viewer? Terrorists are people who have exhausted all the legal and semi-legal means to achieve their goals, and resort to illegal violence to forward their arguments. Trudeau is telling us the Indian government has acted in pretty much the same way. It’s up to the CSIS investigation to find out if that is true.
The Bottom Line
In any case, a high-visibility case such as this pinpoints a weakness in the progress of democracy in the world. It makes obvious the need for Canada and India to get together and make a new treaty that takes into account the needs of both societies.
If that is possible.