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Canada decries Taleban's edict

Ajit Jain
India Abroad Correspondent in Toronto

Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley has, albeit belatedly, announced that his country is deeply disturbed by the reported Taleban proposal to force Hindus and other religious minorities in Afghanistan to wear special identification on their clothing.

"I am shocked by these reports. Discrimination on the basis of religion is abhorrent and an affront to values held by all Canadians," Manley said in a statement from his office in Ottawa. "I hope the Taleban will come to its senses and not implement this terrible edict."

He said Canada's high commission in Islamabad was raising the matter with Afghan diplomats in Pakistan and with senior officials of the Pakistani foreign ministry who have regular contact with the Taleban authorities.

A number of members of Parliament, including Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis, have written to Manley to take a firm stand on the matter. They want Canada to open its doors for the Hindus and Sikhs of Afghanistan who may want to emigrate.

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