Sir,
Your help is urgently needed. As I understand it there are approximately 2800 Sikh refugee claimants waiting for their status to be accepted by the government of Canada. World Sikh Organization has effectively convinced all those concemed that the situation in Punjab is very bad. Sikhs cannot be deported to Punjab. Now they (Canadian government) are claiming that there is no reason why Sikhs cannot be sent back to India, as long as it is outside of Punjab. We must now convince the bureaucrats that Sikhs are now safe anywhere in India.
What is needed is old stories. No one wants to hear about the November Riots Etc. Indian government insists that today everything is fine. We need documented cases in the 90’s. Any statistics on Sikhs outside of Punjab are most welcome. Information needed on schools, Gurdwaras, lack of job Opportunities, social and economic factors etc. Documented cases of human rights abuses, high handed police or army tactics would be very welcome, I can only use material that is in English. If you have suitable information in Punjabi, it would be appreciated if you could have it translated into English. If that is not possible, send me the Punjabi text. I will find someone to translate. At any rate please send original text with any translation you may have done. The Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation Center needs this documentation as soon as possible, Every day delayed means more deportation papers handed to Sikhs. Please respond as soon as possible. Thank You. Alice Basarke W.S.O. Canada.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 9, 1992
