WASHINGTON, DC: The U.S. House of Representatives on June 1617 saw important congressmen chastising the Indian government for its brutal repression of Sikhs and Muslims in that country.
To signal its displeasure with India on accounts of us serious violation of Human Rights and repression of its minorities, the Congress passed two amendments, one introduced by Congressman Vic Fazio and the other by Dan Burton on June 16 and June 17 respectively. Both amendments severely censure India for its pervasive and ongoing brutality against Sikhs, Kashmiris, Assamese and Christians of Nagaland.
Both the amendments arc expected to pass the Senate and become law, thus, it is virtually assured that this year will mark the first time the United States has officially sanctioned India for its long history of human rights abuses against minority nations and peoples suffering under its rule. Indicative of the growing concern over Indian government brutality, an amendment of the foreign aid package introduced by top ranking Democrat Congressman Vic Fazio, seeks to terminate funding for the International Military and Education Training program slotted for India, and carries a clear message that the U.S. Congress will not stand for policies of government oppression in India, The amendment states that “funds made available for fiscal year of 1994 to carry out chapter 5 of part Il of the Foreign Assistance Act of 196! (Relating to the international military education and training program) may not be obligated for India unless the President certifies to the Congress that the Government of India is taking steps to address the human rights problem in India, such as providing access for international human rights organizations, establishing a human rights commission, holding military personnel accountable for violation of fundamental human rights, and prosecuting human rights abusers.” Vic Fazio introduced the amendment by expressing his longstanding, ongoing concerns about the series of human rights abuses in India which include detention without trial, torture under imprisonment, and extrajudicial killing. Iris well known that in the Punjab, between 20 to 30 Sikhs are killed every day by Indian government forces, totaling over 110,000 since 1984. In the face of such oppression the Sikh nation declared independence from India on October 7,1987 forming the separate country of Khalistan. With growing international support for Sikh freedom, on January 24, 1993 Khalistan was admitted as full member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, a worldwide body dedicated to advancing the freedom aspirations of its member nations.
Congressman Vic Fazio is a longtime friend of the Sikh community and well understands the problems of Sikhs in India. In public life he has a long standing record of honesty, dignity, and is a caring human being. He is a dedicated public servant and is a well-respected and trusted member of the U.S. Congress. His actions are known to be based on fairness and without any hidden personal agenda or motives. His courage of convictions and integrity has earned him several recognitions from his colleagues.
Burton Amendment: Though the Burton Amendment called the Justice of India Act” was defeated on June 16, it was reintroduced on June 17 in a modified form to slash 4.1 million dollars for funding International Military and Education training programs. Congressman David Obey (DWI) was responsible for reintroducing the amended resolution.
During debate on the House floor, Members of Congress on both sides went out of their way to recognize the severe violations of human nights India has committed against minority nations and people of India. Vic Fazio (DCA), Jim Moran (DVA), Dana Rohrabacher (RCA) and Martin Hoke (ROH) among others made it clear that the U.S. Congress is serious about human rights and will not stand for India’s ever growing list of atrocities against Sikhs, Kashmiris and others.
Leading the opposition in that debate, Congressman Gary Ackerman (DNY), argued that Burton’s amendment should be rejected because it targeted the poorest of the poor, But then, in seeming contradiction, he downplayed the significance of the $41 million which would come out to less than a nickel per person in India.
Congressman Burton, recognizing the relatively small amount involved, nevertheless urged termination of the aid to send a message that the United States is serious about human nights. if India can Spend over eight billion dollars to buy weapons which it uses to kill Sikhs and Kashmiris, Burton argued, then it doesn’t need or deserve the financial assistance of the United States which is founded on the principles of freedom and respect for human life.
Neil Abercrombie (DHD), spiritedly supported a cut in aid to India calling “what is going on in Kashmir right now and in the Punjab is as in against God, It is a sin against humanity.” Others speaking passionately in support of the Bunion Amendment were Robert Torricelli (DNJ), Floyd Flake (DNY), and Wally Herger (RCA).
The leaders of the World Sikh Organization S. Gurcharan Singh Dhillon and S. Didar Singh Bains hailed the passing of the Vic Fazio amendment and called it a milestone in the history of Sikh struggle for Independence. In a letter addressed to members of the World Sikh Organization and other Sikh institutions, they urged them to thank Congressman Vic Fazio as well as their own Congressmen for their support and appealed to American Sikhs community to’ write letters to members of the Senate to solicit support for the resolution when it comes up there Elated with the passage of both amendments, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan declared that “the day is over in which India can kill Sikhs, Kashmiris and others without sever reprimand from the international community.”
Article extracted from this publication >> June 25, 1993
