The Sikh Human Rights Group (SHRG) came into formation following the increasing violations of human rights of Sikhs in India. ‘The escalation of these violations came about during, and after, the storming of the Golden Temple in June 1984, and the Delhi massacres of Sikhs, in October of the same year.

Many horrific and tragic stories from the survivors and eye witnesses have emerged that indicate circumstances contradicting the Government of India’s version of events.

Sikhs across the world were deeply shocked and moved by the atrocities of the Indian Government against the Sikh community in India. They approached several, reputable and experienced Human Rights agencies to investigate the situation However, the general difficulty of these agencies is that none of these groups was being allowed entry into Punjab. Also, at the same time, the whole area of Punjab has been under strict press censorship for more than a year.

It became evident that non Sikh agencies were not and could not offer much help in this increasingly distressful situation. We employed a body of professionals to investigate the allegations of abuses of human rights of Sikhs in India. Six months of intensive research showed that the Government of India and its army had committed and was continuing to commit unmitigated crimes against the Sikh community; that it was acting contrary to the spirit of a civilized ‘democratic country; and that it ‘was contravening the UN Charter ‘of Human Rights.

The conclusion of these findings was then submitted under the 1503 procedure of the United Nations in June 1985.

The Canadian Arena

The need of a similar group was felt here for a long time, but recent arrests and tortures of Canadian Sikhs in Indian jails has shown that we cannot wait any longer. It ‘was decided by a group of concerned Sikhs to establish Sikh Human Rights Group (of North America) which will work as a subgroup to the London, England based group, Initial survey done in major centers of North America shows a lot of concern and need for such a nonpolitical group.

Before taking this big step, concerns were discussed with other Human Rights Groups, Civil liberties groups and Minority Rights Groups, in India and abroad. Everyone felt that nonpolitical God fearing Sikh groups should be established in North America, As a start Balbir Singh Brar has been appointed its chairman who will draw up objectives and recruit Trustees and Representatives. Mr.Brar will work full time and Start the research work immediately.

Basic Objectives

(a) To educate the western world of the plight of the Sikhs in Punjab and elsewhere.

(b) To follow up human rights violations of any kind without prejudice to race, colour, religion OF Sex,

(c) To coordinate research with London based group. From January 1988 we started to work on Human Rights issues in an organized manner and carried ‘out the following projects:

(1) January 1988 our representative organized the tour of Retd. Justice Ajit Singh Bains. This tour included part of Canada and U.S.A. Series of lectures were organized in England and Switzer land,

(2) April 1988. Luncheon meeting was organized with 15 M.P.’s in Ottawa in Parliament where Justice Bains apprised them of the human rights violations in Punjab. In this group were present some of the M.P.’s who had visited Punjab. in 1987 and later stated that there was no problem in Punjab. This information was effectively countered by Justice Bains.

(3) April, May. Our representative organized series of meetings with United Nations officials and streamlined the procedures with this August body to register human rights violations, during this trip the following cases were registered and actions discussed in detail:

(a) Jodhpur Jail Detainees

These 380 detainees of Jodhpur Jail include some S.G.P.C employees, pilgrims and members of A.LS.S.F. Special courts Judge, recommended their release as there was no prima facia case against them. Later on Bains Commission also found them innocent but they are still held in detention.

(b) Ladha Kothi Tortures

A Judicial enquiry carried out by Justice K.S. Tiwana found that at least 90 persons were tortured and were disabled mentally or physically. Justice Tiwana ordered compensation to all 90 persons from Rs, 10,000 — Rs. 15,000 each. He also recommended trials of police officers who were identified as torturers. Indian Government did not take any action.

We presented this case to the United Nations because all internal remedies had been exhausted. United Nations have started pursuing this case and as of today, we believe that Indian Government has reopened their files. (Official confirmation pending).

(c) Simranjit Singh Mann

This case was also recorded but since we did not have any details we recorded this case under general violations. We are trying to collect more details and as soon as these are available we will pursue this further.

(d) Torture of Balkar Singh

This case of a Canadian citizen being tortured by Indian authorities was also presented to the U.N.O and they took up this matter immediately with Indian authorities. This matter is being pursued by U.N. Torture Department, Amnesty International branches in Canada, Italy and Austria.

(e) Disappearance of Gurjit Singh Convenor A.LS.S.F:

Gurjit Singh was arrested by police but not charged. We feared that he might be killed in a fake encounter. We immediately requested U.N. Disappearance Department on hot line. U.N. in tum asked Indian Authorities to produce Gurjit Singh. His whereabouts are still not known.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 14, 1988