LUDHIANA: OCT 29 the Punjab Human Rights Organization has amalgamated its US and Canadian chapters. It will now be called PHRO-North America in keeping with its internationally growing stature,

The North America Chapter has decided to take up with the U.S State Department, UN and other human rights groups the extradition case of the two Sikh student leaders, Bhai Ranjit Singh Gill and Bhai Sukhminder Singh Sandhu now lodged in a New York jail.

The PHRO chairman DS Gill said Dr. Rajwant Singh has been made president of the unified PHRO of North America while Dr.Gurcharan Singh will be Advisor.

He said Dr.G.S. Choutti, Buffalo, and Hardyal S. Sufi of Ottawa have been appointed vice presidents. Gajinder Singh and Alice Basarke will be administrative secretaries at Washington DC and Ottawa respectively.

Mr.Gurdev Singh Gill be remain coordinator.

Dr.Jatinder Singh Mann, Washington, Mr.Pritam Singh Grewal, New York, Dr.Surjt Singh, Buffalo, Mr. Sarabyit Singh Sidhu, Vancouver, Gurmail Singh Mangat, Winnipeg, Sumit Simgh Gill, Toronto, Ms Nancy Dhillon, Sacramento and Mrs.Satwant Kaur Somal, Stockton, have been named executive directors of the PHRO- NA.

The broad-based nonparty PHRO appreciated the valuable contribution of its branches abroad for disseminating literature and lobbying with governments and the international community against the grave human rights violations in India

Particular mention was made in this regard of the U.K branch which has endeavored to reprint and circulate PHRO report in the west.

D.S Gill also placed on record its appreciation of certain individuals and Sikh organizations in North America for lobbying with law makers, state officials, UN and human rights groups to promote the: Sikh cause.

Mary Pike, WSO Ottawa office and World Sikh News were mentioned, WSN role in reproducing PHRO reports was highly appreciated. The PHRONA, said Gill, has been asked to cooperate and coordinate with al Sikh groups and organizations irrespective of their approach or affiliations, Gill said PHRO stands for all those people who are: struggling for self-determination as in Punjab and Kashmir.

PHRO president, Dr. Rajwant Singh in a separate statement said that they would raise their voice against the illegal detention of Bhai Ranjit Singh and Bhai Sukhminder Singh in U.S detention for over four at the behest of the Indian govt. They would approach the U.S State: Department against their prolonged detention and their asylum in the U.S.A.

Dr. Singh appreciated the PHRO’s work in Punjab in exposing India’s fascism.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 1, 1991