Dear Friend,
Amnesty International released a report in 1992 “India: Torture, Rape and Deaths in Custody.”The essence of this report was that such crimes against humanity are routine in every one of India’s 25 States. A recent report released in December 1993 by Amnesty:”an Unnatural Fate: ‘Disappearances’ and Impunity in the Indian States of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab” detailed cases of gross human rights abuses. Amnesty’s year-long international campaign ‘Disappearances and Political Killings is focused on the 24 most repressive regimes, of which India is one. India refuses access to Amnesty International and British Parliamentarians to visit Punjab, Kashmir and other regions where human rights abuses occur.
On the occasion of the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to London, we request you to urge the Indian Government through your Member of Parliament and other forums to raise the issue of violations of human rights in India. It is essential that we, the international community. intervene in areas where there is large-scale loss of life and suffering to help create an environment in which humanity can develop and flourish peacefully.
At the United Nations World Conference in Vienna in June 1993, more than 1700 Non-Governmental Organizations identified India as one of the most repressive regimes in the world.
The European Commission in Brussels has stated that they “deplore the continuing violence and abuse of human rights in different States of India and that the Security Forces in India should show full respect for human rights and the rule of law,”
The British Foreign Secretary, during his visit to India last November, has also emphasized to the Indian Government the need to respect human rights and the rule of law and the importance of bringing those responsible for wrong-doing to justice.
In India 29.9% of the population lives in virtual destitution and 47.9% are illiterate. Yet India continues to expand its militarization and nuclear capabilities programs, in its desire to become a regional super- power. India refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Sikhs in Punjab have been campaigning for their legitimate rights for the last decade and instead of the Government trying to find a peaceful solution they have carried out a campaign of ruthless repression against them. The President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, in a recent statement raised his concerns about human rights violations in Punjab and also expressed his desire for a peaceful solution to the conflict between the Government of India and the Sikhs which protects Sikh rights.
The Movement Against State Repression, based in Punjab, has estimated that since 1984 between 100,000 and 110,000 Sikhs have been killed by the Indian Security Forces. MASR has also quoted official figures that 52,268 people are held in India under the draconian Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act which allows for long-term detention without trial. There are also numerous other black laws enacted in India under which thousands of people are detained without trial.
Patron: Lord Avebury National Director: Iqbal Singh. General Secretary: Angela Dietrich. Sikh Human Rights Internet is an independent and voluntary organization working for the release of all prisoners of conscience, fair and prompt trials, an end to torture and executions and self determination of the People. Affiliated to Amnesty International and National Council for Civil Liberties.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 25, 1994
