World Sikh Organization of Canada hosts annual human rights events

Ottawa (May 29,2011):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) welcomes Indian human rights activist Colin Gonsalves at the guest speaker as their annual Parliamentary Dinner on Wednesday June 1, 2011 in Ottawa.

Mr. Gonsalves, is a senior advocate at the Indian Supreme Court and the director of the Human Rights Legal Network and has also served as legal counsel for the Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in Punjab (CCDP) which is dedicated to carrying forward the work of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who uncovered the illegal cremations of thousands of Sikhs in Punjab before he himself was ‘disappeared’ by the Punjab Police.  

 The topic of Mr. Gonsalves’ talk will be “Human rights for all:  ending cycles of impunity.”

The annual Parliamentary Dinner, followed by similar events in Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver, are a 27 year tradition for the WSO, which seeks to promote dialogue and understanding on important human rights issues.  This year they expect to host approximately 200 guests including several MPs and diplomats.

 Mr. Gonsalves schedule is as follows:

 June 1^st:  Ottawa Parliamentary Dinner at the Government Conference Centre, beginning at 6.30pm

 June 3^rd:  Seminar with Mr. Gonsalves and Navkiran Kaur Khalra (daughter of Jaswant Singh Khalra), Sheridan College Brampton, beginning at 5.30pm

 June 4th: Brampton Inter-community dinner, Chandani Convention Centre, beginning at 6pm

 June 8^th:  Edmonton Inter-community dinner, Maharaja Banquet Hall, Millwoods, beginning at 6pm

 June 12th: Surrey Inter-community dinner, Punjab Banquet Hall, beginning at 6pm

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit international organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, 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.

 If you’re interested in attending these events or arranging an interview with Mr. Gonsalves, please contact:

Amanpreet Singh Bal, WSO Event Coordinator

[email protected]

phone:  (416) 677-1528