By Our Correspondent
WASHINGTON, DC: Efforts are under way to discuss issues of concern to the Sikh Americans in the new session of the Congress. Recent reports of torture of women which were published in the World Sikh News and the attempt by the Indian government to stop retired high court judge Ajit Singh Bains, who is president of Punjab Human Rights Organization in Geneva by seizing his passport (WSN Sept 1) is likely to provide fresh impetus to the efforts of Congressman Wally Herger and others to hold a hearing on human rights violations in Punjab.
Congressman Herger’s chief legislative aide Doug Riggs told WSN that the Congressman would soon Circulate a letter to his colleagues in which he would call upon Congressman Steven Solarz the head of House Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs to convene a hearing on Punjab.
Congressman Solarz had lead the effort to oppose an amendment proposed on June 30, by Congressman Wally Herger and others to cut aid to India till it allowed Amnesty International to investigate cases of human rights violations on Punjab, punished police officials guilty of crimes against women in Punjab, and lifted the economic blockade of Nepal. The amendment was narrowly defeated by a vote of 212 against, 204 for and 16 abstentions, largely due to Congressman Solarz’s intense lobbying for India.
The stupendous support to the amendment has more or less ensured that Congressman Solarz as the head of House Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, would be under a lot of pressure to hold the hearing.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 22, 1989
