EDMONTON: The 7th Annual Convention of the International Sikh Youth Federation was held at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara of Edmonton on March 27-29, 1992. The issues and concerns of the Canadian Sikhs were presented and discussed through a wide spectrum of national and international speakers. The theme was Human Rights and many representatives from other communities were invited to participate.
A special “Seminar on Human Rights” was held in the nearby Dutch Canadian Club. The seminar and the entire convention turned out to be a great success primarily due to the importance of Human Rights worldwide. Concerned citizens and invited guests made presentations followed by discussion and suggestions made by the distinguished pane! Special attention was also given to the human rights violations against women. Dr. Teja Singh served as a Coordinator.
The list of participants included representatives of the Amnesty International the Edmonton Multicultural Society the Punjab Human Rights Commission the Panthic Committee in U.S.A and read from two M.P.s (David Kilgour Jim Edwards) and the Mitchell M.L.A. addressed the final session of the convention. All of them mentioned the issues and concerns of the Sikhs in India and Canada and suggested ways to alleviate these.
Dr. John Hoddinott of the Amnesty International spoke on the monitoring and reporting of human rights in the global contest. Dr. Mohan Singh out lined the Sikh stand on human rights in history. Prof. David Goa made the audience aware of the spiritual aspects of human rights. Sirish Chotalia of the Alberta Human Rights Commission provided the Albertan perspective on human rights for Canadians.
The actual cases of human rights violations in various parts of the world were presented by various speakers from personal knowledge. These were Human Rights Violations in the Middle East (Richard Awid); Human Rights Violations against Women (binder Pannu); Human Rights Violations in Punjab (Dr. Amarjit Singh); A Victims Personal Experience (Balkar Singh); Human Rights Violations: The Sufferer (Virander Lambs).
The Open session of the I.S.Y.F followed the Seminar. After Ardas and Hukamnama the Annual Report was read and debated. Members of the Panthic Committee Jathedar Stinder Pal Singh Giani Kulwamt Singh B.A and Unit Presidents gave their comments on the work of the I.S.Y.F. in the year of 1991.
On the evening of the March 28 Poetic Symposium (Kavi Darbar) was held in the Gurdwara.
In the delegates meeting on March 28 the new constitution of the I.S.Y.F which had been debated for one year was passed by the delegates. The new national panel of the I.S.Y.F was elected in which the following members will serve for two years.
President Jagtar Singh Sandhu Surrey
Vice-President: Amarjeet Singh
Toronto
General Secretary: Ranjit Singh
Surrey
Asst. Secretary: Surjit Singh Montreal
Chief Org. Sec:
Asst. Org Sec.
Pub. Rel. Si Surrey
Treasurer: Jasvir Singh
Toronto
Asst. Treasurer: Kul
Calgary
“The following are a few of the resolutions passed by the National Panel of I.S.Y.F:
- Pay tributes to the Martyrs of Khalistan
- Unequal support to the Panthic Committee and its associated organizations which are spearheading the movement.
- Request to the government of America to unconditionally release Ranjit Singh Gill and Sukhminder Singh Sandhu who have been kept behind bars for the past 5 years in a New York Jail under the pressure of the Indian Government
- Thank the people of Punjab for boycotting the elections an standing committed for Khalistan
On the morning of March 29 Press Conference was held i which two separate Press Release: was given by the Khalistan Affair Center (Panthic Committee) an International Sikh Youth Federation.
After the Bhog of the Akand Path Sahib there was Kirtan followed by speeches:
English Session: Dr. Amarjit Singh Human Rights Violation in Punjab and Sovereignty forth Sikh Nation.
Ross Harvey- NDP
Sid Indig-Executive Director of Jewish Federation of Edmonton Grant Mitchel- Liberal
Rick Orman- M.L.A Minister of Energy
Punjabi Session: Giani Kulwant Singh B.A.
Jathedar Stinder Pal Singh Panthic Committee
Dr. Amarjt Singh Spokesman Panthic Committee & Exec Director Khalistan Affairs Center.
Harjit Singh Khaira Outgoing President Sukhminder Singh Cheema Speech on behalf of Jagiar Singh Sandhu I.S.Y.F President
Ranjit Singh Gen Sec. I.S.Y.F
Bhajan Singh Bhinder Sikh Youth of America.
Speakers from other parts of Canada also spoke regarding our aim of Khalistan.
The panel discussion was entitled: How to Stop Government from Violating Human Rights There was excellent interaction with the audience. All this provided the recommendations for action which were summarized in the form of Resolutions and were adopted unanimously.
Resolutions adopted at the Hu. man Rights Seminar 7h Annual Convention of the International Sikh Youth Federation held in Edmonton on March 28, 1992.I Resolved that where commendations of human rights organizations be adopted globally by the governments and the 10 steps listed by Amnesty International in their recent publication-India: Torture Rape Deaths in Custody be implemented without further delay. These are
- Adopt an official human rights policy
- Conduct independent investigations in to all allegations of torture
- Implement and strengthen legal safeguards
- Bring perpetrators to justice
- Investigate the causes of torture
- Provide redress for victims
- Provide rehabilitation for the victims
- Inform detainees of their rights
- Train police and the security forces to uphold human rights and
- Strengthen India’s international human rights commitment.
- Resolved that such violations against the Sikhs in Punjab and other minorities in Kashmir Assam Mizoram and other parts of India be stopped forthwith and human rights organizations (such as Amnesty International and Asia Watch) and free press from outside countries be allowed unconditional entry in India to investigate in depth into the alleged brut treatment and torture of innocent people by the police military and Para-military forces.
III. Resolved that development aid to the third world countries be linked to their human rights practices and those countries who have been cited as violators of such rights by Amnesty International and Asia Watch their aid should be suspended till their human rights record improves.
IV. Resolved that India should withdraw the military and Para military forces from Punjab Kashmir and Assam and restore the legal political and human Rights of citizens and unconditionally release all those languishing in Indian jails. It is fortes resolved that the right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN charter of human rights should be the yardstick in deciding the political destiny of the op pressed nationalities struggling to overthrow hegemonic regimes throughout the world.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 17, 1992
