WASHINGTON, DC: Calling him a well-known human rights violator,” a group of 51 Members of the U.S. ‘Congress from both parties urged that former Punjab Director General of Police KP.S. Gill is denied a visa to enter the U.S. for the 1996 Summer Olympics. The request came in a letter to Secretary of State Warren Christopher. Mr. Gill heads the Indian Field Hockey Federation and is “a member of India’s Olympic organization,” Mr, Gill headed the Punjab police until his retirement last year. “Under Mr. Gill’s command, the Punjab police unleashed a reign of terror on the civilian population that was shocking in its scope, and that continues today,” the letter says. It is signed by a range of powerful Members of Congress, including Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairman Dan Burton (RIN), Democratic Caucus Chairman Vic Fazio (DCA), Rules Committee Chairman Gerald Solomon (RNY), Black Caucus Chairman Donald M, Payne (DNJ), Rep. Connic Morella (RMD), and others. “We believe that granting Mr. Gilla visa to come to the U.S. for the Olympics would send the wrong message to both perpetrators and victims of human rights abuses around the world.” [Open Letter inside].
Article extracted from this publication >> May 1, 1996
