Custodial violence and abuse of police power in India has been concern of the international

Community for many years. ‘The General from being subjected to torture and: otherness. India, being a party to these various including torture and: custodial violence.

Custodial violence and abuse of police power in India has been the concern of the international Assembly of the United Nations adopted Declarations and Conventions for the protection of persons crimes of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, extrajudicial executions and disappear an Declarations and Conventions, is under an obligation to take effective steps to prohibit abuse of power.

As of yet, these Declarations, which are part of the binding international law, have not yet been implemented in India.

Crimes committed by the State against minorities in India have never been investigated and perpetrators have not been brought to trial for crimes committed over the last few decades, In late 1993, India established a national human rights commission empowered to investigate reports of abuses and recommended prosecution or other punitive measures. To date, no action has been taken. Human Rights Watch has indicated in their report, “Dead Silence: The Legacy of Abuses in Punjab,” 1993, that:

“there is no indication that the government at the state or federal level has made any effort to investigate the abuses committed by its own agents, or to prosecute the perpetrators, even though the identity of the latter is well documented. On the contrary, the deliberate use of torture ‘and execution as counterinsurgency tactics was not merely tolerated but actively encouraged by senior government officials.”

To demand full accountability “for the actions of officials who in many cases are still in positions of authority, and in some cases have been promoted,” is the role of the Canadian government today as they meet with the Home Minister from India who 1s, along with his predecessor, reconcile for these crimes.

 

 

Canadians and Americans alike must question the true “democracy” of a county that encourages such practices and, without conscience, continues to justify their actions on the basis of “counterinsurgency.” Treaties to expel human beings seeking refuge in Canada from these horrible crimes perpetrated by the government of India, must be soundly rejected by Canada, Canada has an obligation to assist India to make the transition from a fascist state to a true member 0 the democratic world.

On behalf of all the Sikhs, Muslims, Dalits, Christians, and various other minorities, who do not have any opportunity to voice their opinions in India without suffering unjustifiable consequences, we entreat the Canadian government to take a firm stand against these practices of the Indian government and refuse any treaties that would allow these crimes to continue. For the sake of the women, children, young and old, who still suffer the wrath of the State, we beg for your assistance in this battle to enshrine the rights of all peoples of India.

Help us to help those who still suffer.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 4, 1994