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Khalsa Action Committee knocks
at UN doors
WSN Bureau
 NEW DELHI:
Sikh representatives from various groups under the leadership of
Justice (retd) Ajit Singh Bains met Ms Shalini Dewan, Director,
United Nations Information Centre at New Delhi
on Nov
11, 2009 and urged the UN to intervene.
Addressed to the
UN Secretary General Ban-ki-Moon, the memorandum sought immediate UN
intervention for the victim families of the pogrom of November 1984.
The document
pointed out that “A string of enquiry commissions and committees set
up by the government of India, under pressure of civil society has
been unable to uncover the truth and also prosecute the high and
mighty conspirators and perpetrators.” Building the rationale for UN
intervention, Justice Ajit Singh Bains, leading the delegation
pointed out that, “All possible forums of redress available in India
have been exhausted by the victim families, civil liberties
organizations and human rights lawyers. Amnesty International,
Human Rights Watch and the diplomatic corps of many countries have
urged
India to
act in the interest of justice, but nothing has been done.”
Spelling out the
role of the Diaspora, the document significantly pointed out that,
“Sikhs in Punjab, India and the Diaspora have cried hoarse, year
after year, for the last 25 years, that such gross injustice should
shame the rulers of the country, but to no avail.”
Urging
intervention and immediate action, the signatories prayed for
respect for Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“Throughout the
last 25 years, despite the terrible track record in delivering
justice to the victim families of November 1984, the United Nations
has not adequately intervened. Today, more than ever before, we seek
your intervention. Unless the United Nations intervenes, the rights
of man, underlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
would be seriously jeopardized. The Sikh nation looks up to you to
recognize in letter and spirit, Article 3 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which states, “Everyone has the right
to life, liberty and security of person.”, pleaded the leaders of
the Sikh nation.
The signatories
included Justice (retd) Ajit Singh Bains (Chairman, Punjab Human
Rights Organization), Manjit Singh Calcutta (Chairman, Shiromani
Panthic Council), Bhai Mohkam Singh of Khalsa Action
Committee, President and spokesperson of Dal Khalsa -Harchranjit
Singh Dhami and Kanwar Pal Singh, Harpal Singh Cheema Gen. Secy. of
Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardani) and SGPC executive committee
member Karnail Singh Panjoli.
18
November 2009
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