WSN Exclusive VANCOUVER, B.C. Ms, Margaret a member of the Canadian Parliament spoke about the fifth anniversary of the storming of the Golden Temple by the Indian Army at her countries House of Commons on June 6.
She spoke of the allegations of deaths of the political prisoners in Punjab while they were in police custody. She also expressed her concern about the treatment of Sikhs particularly the Canadian Sikhs who visit India.
The following is the complete text of Ms. Mitchell’s statement in the House of Commons.
Ms. Margaret Mitchel representing Vancouver east said in the
House of Commons, today marks the fifth anniversary of the storming of the Golden Temple in the Punjab by the Indian army. It is therefore appropriate to reflect on the ongoing problems faced by the Sikh community in India.
Amnesty International reports allegations that dozens of political prisoners in Indian prisons have died after being tortured while in police custody and also that there have been staged encounters by the police in which political activists were killed. Other reports indicate that hundreds of Sikhs are being kept in jail awaiting trial many without any formal charges against them.
Included among those imprisoned is a Canadian landed immigrant, Amarjit Singh Sohi a member of the Punjabi Literary Association of Edmonton, He went to India last April to work in drama and human rights groups and was arrested in November while attending a convention. He was charged with being a Sikh terrorist,
There is apparently no evidence to support the change, but sohi remains in detention.
Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of Sikh people favor a peaceful resolution of the difficulties in the Punjab, continued harassment and repression by Indian authorities contribute nothing to such a resolution. I urge the Canadian government to use its influence and express our concern to India regarding that country’s treatment of Sikhs, and particularly Canadian Sikhs who visit India.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 16, 1989
