A Seminar on “Human Rights and Civil Liberties in Democratic and Secular India” sponsored by the Sikh Women’s International Organization (S.W.I.O.) was held at the Dag Hammarskjold Lounge, at Columbia University New York, on Saturday, the May 10th, 86.

The speakers who participated in the seminar included Prof, Subramaniam  Swamy, Dr. Barbara Joshi, Prof. Barnett Rubin, Counselor Kuby of Kunstler and Kuby ESQ, Prof. Gurcharan Singh, Prof. Mohammed and Prof. Simon. Presidential address was delivered by Dr. Satwant Kaur Damon, the President of S.W.LO., and the program was chaired by Dr. Ranjeet  Kaur Govern, the general secretary of S.W.I.O.

Various issues on human rights in general specific to minority groups such as Sikhs, Dalit’s, and Muslims were addressed.

‘The consensus of opinion of the speakers was –

  1. Even though India has ratified the covenant on Civil and Political rights, during the ruling of Janata’ party, its effectiveness remains rather limited in the absence of the ratification of the optional protocol which enables the individual to petition directly to the United Nations.
  2. Gross violation of human rights of Sikhs, Muslims, Dalit’s, and other minorities, is occurring every day with increasing frequency.
  3. The speakers unanimously voiced for the vigilance of human rights activists and minority rights

‘Groups to secure human rights.  As a result of today’s seminar. The members of the S.W.I.O unanimously adopted the following revolution:

Be it resolved that:

  1. Steps are taken to undo all acts of injustice, humiliation, torture and inhuman treatment that have been inflicted upon Sikhs, Muslims, and other minorities in India. To achieve this goal we the members of this organization appeal to the enlightened sections of India and to various international human rights groups to take the lead.
  2. All human rights and civil liberties are fully restored in India, The “black laws” that have been passed since 1983 are scrapped, and both the letter and spirit of the constitution be fully respected.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 23, 1986