“So Much Suffering” details actrocities by the police on Sikh women have been mistreated, dishonored and raped. It represents the tip of a very nasty Iceberg.
A perusal of the report shows that there Is no rule of the law In Punjab, law enforcement officers are often the law breakers, torture and beatings are common and In practice, there Is no legal recourse.
The report deals with only two districts of Punjab which leads one to ask the questions, “Would things really be much different In the rest of Punjab?” Indeed they are not.
Congressman Wally Herger, on reading the English translation of the report told WSN: A well-documented report released this month by a high level team appointed by the “Punjab Women’s Forum” points to unacceptable abuses on the part of the Indian government against women In India. The report confirms arguments that several U.S. Congressmen made on the House floor during debate on the House Foreign Assistance Act In June. The tragic story of a young Sikh girl who was repeatedly raped by Indian Police In April of this year touched the hearts of my colleagues, The details of additional abuses are troubling, to say the least.
Combined with reports from Amnesty International, The Committee on Information and Initiative In Punjab, The People’s Union for Democratic Rights (a Hindu group), and Citizens for Democracy, not to mention two reports by government appointed Investigation bodies which were suppressed by the government (reportedly Including the Thakkar and Misra reports), the new report should release the concerns of U.S. and other Western lawmakers.
This Is one reason why I strongly believe that India should allow International human rights groups to complete their reviews within its borders. India Is the only democracy to refuse to allow Amnesty International Into Its country; perhaps these violations are the reason why.
Women are critical segment of Indian society, and should be treated with respect and dignity by the Indian government. Rapes, tortures, and unjustified arrest without charge or trial are unacceptable In a civilized nation and must be ended Immediately. The translation of the report and the original In Punjab are being presented to our readers as a special supplement. The Editorial also comments on it. It Is painful to read It, It would be tragic not to do so.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 21, 1989
