Washington D.C. The House Sub Committee on Asia and Pacific affairs hearing on human rights Violations turned out to be damp Squib here on October 25, Chaired by Congressman Stephen J Solarz of New York, the subcommittee was at pains to show satisfaction with U.S. relations with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. All Questions and answers were carefully worded to avoid the basic Issue,
Assistant Secretary of State John H. Kelly and Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights Mr. Schifter made statements before the Sub Committee and were questioned by the Sub Committee members regarding US. relation and observation on South Asia. The Sub Committee members.
present were Congressman Torri Celli of New Jerrsy, Congressman’ Clarke of North Carolina, Congressman Lagomarcino of California Congressman Faleomavaega of American Samoa and Congressman Jim Leash of Iowa.
Mr. Kelly who recently came back from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh gave a brief and general view of the region and expre ssed his happiness about U.S. relation with these countries and open ness in relations, Assistant Secre tary Schifter made a brief statement about human rights violations in that area. He cautiously refrained from making any re marks about governments of that region. Congressman Solarz carefully chose the questions to evoke certain responses from the two State Department representatives so that India’s image was protected. His questions on human rights violations in Punjab and other areas did not address issues raised by Amnesty International and other Human Right Organizations, Instead Solarz tried to con firm the statements of Government of India and did his best to put the label of terrorism on Sikhs. He also expressed the concern of Indian Government that Pakistan was training the Sikh militants. In answer to those questions Mr. Kel ley confirmed that there was no credible evidence that Pakistan was training Sikh militants. He was satisfied with Pakistan’s response. He also pointed out that there was serious deficiency in law and order in the state of Punjab and other states and prosecution of the indicted individuals lagged behind. However Assistant Secretary was of the opinion that Government of India to the has reassured the Dept that it was serious about human rights
Even though chairman, Solarz, tried his best to use his position not to embarrasses his friend from India. Serious questions of human rights violations were raised by some other members. Congress man Torricelli raised concerns regarding extra judicial killings of Sikhs by the Indian security forces, he also raised his concern regarding 1989 Amnesty International report which indicated 2257 suspected Sikhs are still in jails with out trial. He also mentioned about that Asia watch has documented large scale arrests without any charges. He also wanted to know how serious was the Indian Government to grant human rights to the Sikhs and the other minorities. He also indicated that they are not challenging the territorial integrity of India.
Congressman Faleomavaega asked if Punjab boundary was defined and plebiscite was held in Punjab when Punjab joined India. The answer from the State Department was that no plebiscite was held.
Congressman Lagomarcino ex pressed his concern that Amnesty. International and other international human rights organizations were not allowed in Punjab.
Serious concerns about human rights violations in India were obvious from the discussion. State department was very cautious in making any remarks against the Government of India. This may be due to trade concerns which was the focus of assistant secretary John H.Kelly’s statement. Chairman of Sub Committee Congress man Solarz’s role was disappointing. Instead of playing a neutral role as chairman, he appeared to be the spokesman of India. After reading his recent letter which he sent to the people of Indian origin ‘one should not be surprised. In his letter he openly boasts about himself as a friend of India and his efforts in helping to bringing $1.8 billion in American aid to India in recent years.
Among 100 visitors who attended the hearing there were only 7 Sikhs in the room. S. Manpal Singh from Boston, Bhai Avtar Singh from New Jersey, Dr Raj want Singh and Dr Gurmit Singh Aulakh from Washington D. C. area, S. Gurcharan Singh Dhillon, Dr Gurinder Singh Grewal from: California, S. Daebara Singh Gill, general secretary of Punjab Human Rights Organization were present during the hearing. Mr Jassal anIndian government employee was also present at the hearing.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 3, 1989
