For the last six years Sikh student, Ranjit Singh Gill and Sukhminder Singh Sandhu, have been incarcerated in New York jail pending the outcome of extradition proceedings.

Both of them are wanted by the Government of India in a number of alleged criminal cases registered against them in India. It has been proved through judicial courts and on the basis of official records that they have been falsely implicated in these criminal cases. The fact is, that both Sandhu and Gill are important leaders of All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), an organization of students which is a nonparty political arm of the Sikh Movement in Punjab. International Human rights Organization (IHRO) expresses disgust and dismay that the US State Department has not upheld its commitment to human rights, Due to the political pressure exerted by the Indian Government the State Department has influenced the judicial process to the extent of denying them their right to be released on bail. On the other hand, it is ironic that the State Department’s annual report this year criticizes the Indian Government’s human rights record and the blatant abuses inflicted on its people. THRO considers Ranjit Singh Gill and Sukhminder Singh Sandhu political prisoners and is concerned about their fate if they are extradited to India. We believe they would be killed under one of the repressive laws just like many other Sikh political activists in the Punjab.

“What I hear across the country is a yearning fora principled, coherent, and consistent foreign policy that reflects our historic democratic and humanitarian values. These principles, set for the eloquently in the Preamble of the U.N. Charter, would help guide a Clinton administration’s vision and practice of global partnership.

President Bill Clinton A president who has said a commitment to human rights must be part of U.S. foreign policy has raised hopes that this administration will help to make a positive difference for millions of people the world over, who are suffering from human rights abuses. The case of these two young Sikh men is in effect, a foreign policy issue, we, therefore, appeal to the Government of the United States to take a decision in keeping with the noble traditions of your democracy loving nation and not be guided by any other consideration. This is not to suggest that the US. Government absolve the two men of any change for violating this country’s Law of which, we are not aware.

Otherwise, they should be set free and allow to stay in the US or go the country of their choice.  Dr.Rajwant Singh, President, IHRO, Potomac, MD

Gurdey Singh Gill Coordinator, 1HRO North America Mississauga. Ontario

Article extracted from this publication >>  May 14, 1993