Toronto: March 20, 2009. (PCP) Canada takes the issue of a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue very seriously and it regularly presses India to respect human rights of Kashmiris, says Canada’s Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon. The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a letter thanked Mr. Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director of Peace and Justice Forum (PJF), for his letter to the Prime Minister concerning the unresolved Kashmir issue and India’s failure to live up to its promise of a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy towards human rights violations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Minister Cannon says: “The Government of Canada takes the issue of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Kashmir very seriously and continues to encourage the governments of India and Pakistan to move forward with the ongoing Composite Dialogue process, focussed upon the resolution of key issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.” He added, “Canada also engages in dialogue with like-minded partners to promote sustainable peace in South Asia, including with the members of the G8.” On the issue of systematic human rights abuses against civilians in Kashmir, Honourable Cannon writes, “your [PJF’s] letter also addresses reports of egregious violations of human rights in Kashmir. Through the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, Canada has established an ongoing dialogue with the Government of India on human rights issues.” He assured that “Canada regularly presses India to ensure that human rights, including the rights of Kashmiris, are respected...” Minister Cannon concludes with further assurance, “please be assured that we will continue to engage with the Government of India in this regard.”