Supports Work of Council of Khalistan
WASHINGTON In observance of International Human Rights Day. Several Mew of .S. Congress, representing both political parties and from across the political spectrum, lent their support to freedom for Khalistan, condemned the Indian regime’s tyranny, demanded the immediate release of Sigh human right activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, and endorsed the work of the Council of Khalistan, the government in exile of Khalistan and the organization leading the struggle for an independent Khalistan.
“The Indian rulers cannot escape the simple truth that human rights apply in their country too, whether they like it or not.” said Representative Gerald B.H. Solomon(RN.Y,),chairman of the House Rules Committee, He called upon them “to release Jaswant Singh Khatra immutably, to respect the political right the Sikhs of Khalistan, the egg of Kashmir, the Assamese, Nagas, Dalits, and others living under the boot of Indian ‘Oppression” and “to release over 70,000 ‘Sikh political prisoners held without charges under the brutal so called “Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act’ (TADA) ‘despite the fact that this act expired months ago.” He called for an end to U.S. aid to India until these conditions are met.
Pointing out ate Pete third largest recipient of U.S. aid, N Rep. William O, Lipmnski (DIIL) agreed that “it is ‘time for the United States to tell the Indian ‘Government that there will be no more aid. Until the repression of minority nations has ended. Not until the repression of the Sikhs and other minorities begins 10 hurt the regime will the suffering end and the glow of freedom shine throughout the world.” He cited published Reports about Harpreet Singh, a Sikh who was allegedly killed by the police in 1991. Harpreet ‘Singh appeared in court in early November to sue the regime for false imprisonment. “That is quite an achievement for a dead man,” Rep. Lipinski said. He also edited the case of Sarbjit Singh, W) 10 was. report killed by police on October 30, 1993.Sarbjit Singh`s body was brought. A hospital for an autopsy, but he was not dead. “While the doctor called to inform his family that he was not dead,” Rep. Lipinski said, “the police took Mr. Singh away, killed him, and cremated the body.” According to Rep. Lipinski, “eases Ike Mr. Singh’s are typical of the human. Rights abuses committed by Indian authorities in Khalistan.” Khalistan 1s the ‘Sikh homeland declared independent on October 7, 1987.
‘Several Congressmen cited the fact that the Indian regime has killed over 150,000 Sikhs since 1984, more than. 200,000 ‘Christians in Nagaland since 1947, over 43,000 Muslims in Kashmir since 1988, and tens of thousands of Assamese, ‘Manipuris, and others. Thousands of Dalits. (Black untouchables”) have been killed, According to the U.S. State Department’s 1994 human rights report on India, between 1991 and 1993 the regime paid ‘more than 41,000 cash bounties to police officers for killing Sikhs.
Rep. Dan Burton (RInd.), chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, cited the abduction of Mr, Khalra, secretary’ general of the Human Rights Wing (Shiromani Akali Dal.) According to Rep. Burton, “Mr. Khalra had published information exposing the Indian police practice of arresting young Sikh men, torturing and murdering them, then declaring them unidentified and cremating the bodies 10 cover up their abuses.” Mr. Khalra reported that over 25,000 young Sikh men ‘were subjected to this brutal treatment. Rep. Wally Herger (R Cal.) pointed out that “here it is early December and his whereabouts are still unknown. According to Rep. Herger, “The police chief of Tarn Taran, Ajit S. Sandhu, reportedly told Mr. Khalra, ‘we made 25,000 disappear, it would not be hard to make ‘one more disappear.’ Amnesty International reports that for this threat, Mr. Sandhu was recently transferred to another district.” Rep. Crane and Rep Herger both cited a report from Amnesty International which says that “the Punjab Police have been allowed to commit human rights violations with impunity. “Recently, the United Nations spoke out against the executions of nine political activists in Nigeria,” Rep. Herger said. “That was the right thing to do. Yet the United Nations has not spoken up against the illegal detention of Mr. Khalra, the ongoing illegal detention of 70000 other Sikhs under s repressive, Expired Law! Known as TADA. ..Or any of India’s massive abuses of the fundamental human rights of Sikhs and other minorities,” he stated. “Why won’ the Secretary General ‘speak out against human rights abuses in India, one of the most oppressive and corrupt countries in the world? Is it because India falsely claims to be a ‘democracy”? It is time for the United Nations ‘condemn human rights violations in India ‘as it does so effectively around the world”.
‘The members also called for American action against India. “It is time for Congress to pass legislation conditioning aid to India on improving its human rights record in Punjab Kashmir, and in other. areas,” said Rep. Burton, who has sponsored similar legislation, “With the many human rights causes this great Nation fights for,” said Rep. Lipinski, “surely we can raise our voice for the people of Khalistan as well elf determination is the right of all nations,” said Rep. Peter King (RN.Y,) “As the leader of the free, democratic countries of the world, the United States should not be propping Up this repressive tyranny, Rep. King said. Rep. Solomon urged that’ all U.S. aid to India should be cut off and our Government could place trade sanctions on India. These steps would make it clear to India that the United States takes human rights seriously and it is time that India did so as well.” “On behalf of the Sikh Nation, l am very grateful for these statements of support, said Dr, Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan. “By now, India must know that it cannot keep its brutal genocide against the Sikhs and other peoples accrete, “said Dr, Aulakh. India’s facade of democracy is crumbling. Thanks to these courageous Members of Congress and others, the world is realizing that India is merely a Potemkin democracy. There is no real democracy there,” he said, “It is just a show for the Western audience, but more and more of the audience is walking out on the performance.” “These courageous Members of Congress have shed more light on the repression of the Sikhs and other nations by the Indian tyrants,” Dr. Aulakh said. N Their “efforts show that they understand the real. Meaning of International Human Rights Day. The only way that the human rights. Of the Sikh Nation will be respected is in. a free, independent Khalistan. These members have brought that day closer,” he said. “Because of their courage, the Sikh Nation will be free in the very near future.”
The human rights abuses the murders, the rapes, the torture — that are being committed against the Sikh people are truly horrible, added Rep. Burton. “Truth Is on the side of the nation.” said Rep. Crane, “and the time has come for India to cease its oppression of the Sikhs and honor their right of freedom. This press release provided by Council of Khalistan.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 10, 1996