Follow Up Actions - Worldwide Candle Lit Vigils

[gurd1981]

Got to congratulate federation on this event. if it gives those Singhs in jail hope then it was worth it. lets all get together and do more for those brothers.

[Nirvair S Khalsa]

Got to congratulate federation on this event. if it gives those Singhs in jail hope then it was worth it. lets all get together and do more for those brothers.

148409[/snapback]

Yes, I agree, The Sikh Federation (UK) was the main inspiration behind this event and it has given hope to all the Singhs in jails!

I think Bhai Amrik Singh Jee Gill, Bhai Dabinderjit Singh Jee...etc and ALL the other members, the other organisers including around the world need to be congradulated on the success of this event and the past events. The struggle is not over (hopefully the one for Bhai Davinderpal Singh Bhuller is), and I KNOW the Federation will always continue to peacefully fight for our just rights!

Vaheguroo Jee Kaa Khalsa, Vaheguroo Jee Kee Phateh!!!

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

WORLDWIDE CANDLE LIGHT VIGILS - FOLLOW UP ACTION

The Sikh Federation (UK) urges Sikhs throughout the UK to write, email, fax and ring their local MP and ask him/her to sign Early Day Motions 1394 and 1383 (reproduced below). MPs should also be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging it to take relevant actions in conjunction with the German Government and other members of the European Union in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. The EDMs will remain open until November 2006.

Around 150 MPs (Government Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries) are unable to sign EDMs due to Parliamentary protocol. However, they should be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging them to take actions. In all cases ask your MP to copy you all correspondence with the Foreign Office.

It should be possible for Sikhs in Canada, USA and other countries to approach politicians in the countries where they live and urge their respective Governments to exert pressure on the Indian authorities. If we all did this where we live a considerable amount of pressure could be exerted.

A Written Declaration is also to be tabled in the European Parliament in February with regards to Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. This will enable Sikhs in the 25 Member States to urge MEPs to sign the Written Declaration when it is released. The Written Declaration will only be available to sign by MEPs for 90 days. MEPs should also be encouraged to write to their national governments and the Indian authorities.

EDM 1394 - PROFESSOR DAVINDERPAL SINGH BHULLAR

That this House urges the President of India to intervene in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, who was deported from Germany in 1995 contrary to Article 3 of the European Human Rights Convention and who has been facing a sentence of death in India since 2001, despite the serious doubts expressed by many, including human rights bodies and the most senior judge on the bench in his trial, about the manner in which his conviction was obtained including the use of torture; and urges the United Kingdom Government to do all it can in conjunction with the German Government and the European Union in making representations to the Indian Government to secure justice in this case.

The following 12 MPs signed this motion in the first week. Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

2. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

3. Caton, Martin (Lab) - Gower

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Durkan, Mark (SDLD) - Foyle

7. Hoyle, Lindsay (Lab) - Chorley

8. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

9. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

10. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

11. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

12. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

EDM 1383 - BEHAVIOUR OF THE INDIAN POLICE\

That this House expresses its deep concern at the recent examples of brutal behaviour of the Indian Police in the eviction of Punjabi farmers from their farms in Kashipur in the State of Uttaranchal, in their violent attack on the protesting vegetable merchants in the old fruit market in Amritsar, and the beating to near death of Sukhvinder Singh Sukha at Phagawara; and calls upon the Government to express formally its condemnation to the Indian High Commission.

The following 20 MPs signed this motion in the first week. Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Anderson, Janet (Lab) - Rossendale & Darwen

2. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

3. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Drew, David (Lab) - Stroud

7. Flynn, Paul (Lab) - Newport West

8. Hamilton, David (Lab) - Midlothian

9. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

10. Llwyd, Elfyn (PC) - Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

11. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

12. McCafferty, Chris (Lab) - Calder Valley

13. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

14. Meale, Alan (Lab) - Mansfield

15. Robinson, Iris (DUP) - Strangford

16. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

17. Spellar, John (Lab) - Warley

18. Stringer, Graham (Lab) - Manchester, Blackley

19. Wareing, Robert N (Lab) - Liverpool, West Derby

20. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

WORLDWIDE CANDLE LIGHT VIGILS - FOLLOW UP ACTION

The Sikh Federation (UK) urges Sikhs throughout the UK to write, email, fax and ring their local MP and ask him/her to sign Early Day Motions 1394 and 1383 (reproduced below).  MPs should also be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging it to take relevant actions in conjunction with the German Government and other members of the European Union in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. The EDMs will remain open until November 2006.

Around 150 MPs (Government Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries) are unable to sign EDMs due to Parliamentary protocol.  However, they should be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging them to take actions.  In all cases ask your MP to copy you all correspondence with the Foreign Office.

It should be possible for Sikhs in Canada, USA and other countries to approach politicians in the countries where they live and urge their respective Governments to exert pressure on the Indian authorities. If we all did this where we live a considerable amount of pressure could be exerted.

A Written Declaration is also to be tabled in the European Parliament in February with regards to Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. This will enable Sikhs in the 25 Member States to urge MEPs to sign the Written Declaration when it is released. The Written Declaration will only be available to sign by MEPs for 90 days. MEPs should also be encouraged to write to their national governments and the Indian authorities.

EDM 1394 - PROFESSOR DAVINDERPAL SINGH BHULLAR

That this House urges the President of India to intervene in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, who was deported from Germany in 1995 contrary to Article 3 of the European Human Rights Convention and who has been facing a sentence of death in India since 2001, despite the serious doubts expressed by many, including human rights bodies and the most senior judge on the bench in his trial, about the manner in which his conviction was obtained including the use of torture; and urges the United Kingdom Government to do all it can in conjunction with the German Government and the European Union in making representations to the Indian Government to secure justice in this case.

The following 12 MPs signed this motion in the first week.  Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

2. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

3. Caton, Martin (Lab) - Gower

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Durkan, Mark (SDLD) - Foyle

7. Hoyle, Lindsay (Lab) - Chorley

8. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

9. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

10. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

11. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

12. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

EDM 1383 - BEHAVIOUR OF THE INDIAN POLICE\

That this House expresses its deep concern at the recent examples of brutal behaviour of the Indian Police in the eviction of Punjabi farmers from their farms in Kashipur in the State of Uttaranchal, in their violent attack on the protesting vegetable merchants in the old fruit market in Amritsar, and the beating to near death of Sukhvinder Singh Sukha at Phagawara; and calls upon the Government to express formally its condemnation to the Indian High Commission.

The following 20 MPs signed this motion in the first week.  Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Anderson, Janet (Lab) - Rossendale & Darwen

2. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

3. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Drew, David (Lab) - Stroud

7. Flynn, Paul (Lab) - Newport West

8. Hamilton, David (Lab) - Midlothian

9. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

10. Llwyd, Elfyn (PC) - Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

11. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

12. McCafferty, Chris (Lab) - Calder Valley

13. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

14. Meale, Alan (Lab) - Mansfield

15. Robinson, Iris (DUP) - Strangford

16. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

17. Spellar, John (Lab) - Warley

18. Stringer, Graham (Lab) - Manchester, Blackley

19. Wareing, Robert N (Lab) - Liverpool, West Derby

20. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

148460[/snapback]

The above has been sent to The Sikh Times, Awaze Qaum, Des Pardes and Panjab Times. Hopefully all four will reproduce it in their papers and encourage their readers to contact their MPs.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

WORLDWIDE CANDLE LIGHT VIGILS - FOLLOW UP ACTION

The Sikh Federation (UK) urges Sikhs throughout the UK to write, email, fax and ring their local MP and ask him/her to sign Early Day Motions 1394 and 1383 (reproduced below).  MPs should also be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging it to take relevant actions in conjunction with the German Government and other members of the European Union in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. The EDMs will remain open until November 2006.

Around 150 MPs (Government Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries) are unable to sign EDMs due to Parliamentary protocol.  However, they should be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging them to take actions.  In all cases ask your MP to copy you all correspondence with the Foreign Office.

It should be possible for Sikhs in Canada, USA and other countries to approach politicians in the countries where they live and urge their respective Governments to exert pressure on the Indian authorities. If we all did this where we live a considerable amount of pressure could be exerted.

A Written Declaration is also to be tabled in the European Parliament in February with regards to Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. This will enable Sikhs in the 25 Member States to urge MEPs to sign the Written Declaration when it is released. The Written Declaration will only be available to sign by MEPs for 90 days. MEPs should also be encouraged to write to their national governments and the Indian authorities.

EDM 1394 - PROFESSOR DAVINDERPAL SINGH BHULLAR

That this House urges the President of India to intervene in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, who was deported from Germany in 1995 contrary to Article 3 of the European Human Rights Convention and who has been facing a sentence of death in India since 2001, despite the serious doubts expressed by many, including human rights bodies and the most senior judge on the bench in his trial, about the manner in which his conviction was obtained including the use of torture; and urges the United Kingdom Government to do all it can in conjunction with the German Government and the European Union in making representations to the Indian Government to secure justice in this case.

The following 12 MPs signed this motion in the first week.  Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

2. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

3. Caton, Martin (Lab) - Gower

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Durkan, Mark (SDLD) - Foyle

7. Hoyle, Lindsay (Lab) - Chorley

8. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

9. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

10. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

11. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

12. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

EDM 1383 - BEHAVIOUR OF THE INDIAN POLICE\

That this House expresses its deep concern at the recent examples of brutal behaviour of the Indian Police in the eviction of Punjabi farmers from their farms in Kashipur in the State of Uttaranchal, in their violent attack on the protesting vegetable merchants in the old fruit market in Amritsar, and the beating to near death of Sukhvinder Singh Sukha at Phagawara; and calls upon the Government to express formally its condemnation to the Indian High Commission.

The following 20 MPs signed this motion in the first week.  Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Anderson, Janet (Lab) - Rossendale & Darwen

2. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

3. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Drew, David (Lab) - Stroud

7. Flynn, Paul (Lab) - Newport West

8. Hamilton, David (Lab) - Midlothian

9. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

10. Llwyd, Elfyn (PC) - Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

11. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

12. McCafferty, Chris (Lab) - Calder Valley

13. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

14. Meale, Alan (Lab) - Mansfield

15. Robinson, Iris (DUP) - Strangford

16. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

17. Spellar, John (Lab) - Warley

18. Stringer, Graham (Lab) - Manchester, Blackley

19. Wareing, Robert N (Lab) - Liverpool, West Derby

20. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

148460[/snapback]

Etherington, Bill (Lab) - Sunderland North has also signed EDM 1383 taking the number to 21.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

WORLDWIDE CANDLE LIGHT VIGILS - FOLLOW UP ACTION

The Sikh Federation (UK) urges Sikhs throughout the UK to write, email, fax and ring their local MP and ask him/her to sign Early Day Motions 1394 and 1383 (reproduced below).  MPs should also be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging it to take relevant actions in conjunction with the German Government and other members of the European Union in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. The EDMs will remain open until November 2006.

Around 150 MPs (Government Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries) are unable to sign EDMs due to Parliamentary protocol.  However, they should be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging them to take actions.  In all cases ask your MP to copy you all correspondence with the Foreign Office.

It should be possible for Sikhs in Canada, USA and other countries to approach politicians in the countries where they live and urge their respective Governments to exert pressure on the Indian authorities. If we all did this where we live a considerable amount of pressure could be exerted.

A Written Declaration is also to be tabled in the European Parliament in February with regards to Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. This will enable Sikhs in the 25 Member States to urge MEPs to sign the Written Declaration when it is released. The Written Declaration will only be available to sign by MEPs for 90 days. MEPs should also be encouraged to write to their national governments and the Indian authorities.

EDM 1394 - PROFESSOR DAVINDERPAL SINGH BHULLAR

That this House urges the President of India to intervene in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, who was deported from Germany in 1995 contrary to Article 3 of the European Human Rights Convention and who has been facing a sentence of death in India since 2001, despite the serious doubts expressed by many, including human rights bodies and the most senior judge on the bench in his trial, about the manner in which his conviction was obtained including the use of torture; and urges the United Kingdom Government to do all it can in conjunction with the German Government and the European Union in making representations to the Indian Government to secure justice in this case.

The following 12 MPs signed this motion in the first week.  Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

2. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

3. Caton, Martin (Lab) - Gower

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Durkan, Mark (SDLD) - Foyle

7. Hoyle, Lindsay (Lab) - Chorley

8. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

9. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

10. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

11. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

12. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

EDM 1383 - BEHAVIOUR OF THE INDIAN POLICE\

That this House expresses its deep concern at the recent examples of brutal behaviour of the Indian Police in the eviction of Punjabi farmers from their farms in Kashipur in the State of Uttaranchal, in their violent attack on the protesting vegetable merchants in the old fruit market in Amritsar, and the beating to near death of Sukhvinder Singh Sukha at Phagawara; and calls upon the Government to express formally its condemnation to the Indian High Commission.

The following 20 MPs signed this motion in the first week.  Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Anderson, Janet (Lab) - Rossendale & Darwen

2. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

3. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Drew, David (Lab) - Stroud

7. Flynn, Paul (Lab) - Newport West

8. Hamilton, David (Lab) - Midlothian

9. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

10. Llwyd, Elfyn (PC) - Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

11. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

12. McCafferty, Chris (Lab) - Calder Valley

13. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

14. Meale, Alan (Lab) - Mansfield

15. Robinson, Iris (DUP) - Strangford

16. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

17. Spellar, John (Lab) - Warley

18. Stringer, Graham (Lab) - Manchester, Blackley

19. Wareing, Robert N (Lab) - Liverpool, West Derby

20. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

148460[/snapback]

Etherington, Bill (Lab) - Sunderland North has also signed EDM 1383 taking the number to 21.

148485[/snapback]

The following two MPs have added their names to EDM 1394 (14 MPs in total)

Jenkins, Brian (Lab) - Tamworth

McDonnell, Alasdair (SDLP) - Belfast South

The following three MPs have added their names to EDM 1383 (24 MPs in total)

Simpson, David (DUP) - Upper Bann

McDonnell, Alasdair (SDLP) - Belfast South

Hemming, John (Lib Dem) - Birmingham Yardley

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

WORLDWIDE CANDLE LIGHT VIGILS - FOLLOW UP ACTION

The Sikh Federation (UK) urges Sikhs throughout the UK to write, email, fax and ring their local MP and ask him/her to sign Early Day Motions 1394 and 1383 (reproduced below).  MPs should also be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging it to take relevant actions in conjunction with the German Government and other members of the European Union in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. The EDMs will remain open until November 2006.

Around 150 MPs (Government Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries) are unable to sign EDMs due to Parliamentary protocol.  However, they should be asked to write to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urging them to take actions.  In all cases ask your MP to copy you all correspondence with the Foreign Office.

It should be possible for Sikhs in Canada, USA and other countries to approach politicians in the countries where they live and urge their respective Governments to exert pressure on the Indian authorities. If we all did this where we live a considerable amount of pressure could be exerted.

A Written Declaration is also to be tabled in the European Parliament in February with regards to Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. This will enable Sikhs in the 25 Member States to urge MEPs to sign the Written Declaration when it is released. The Written Declaration will only be available to sign by MEPs for 90 days. MEPs should also be encouraged to write to their national governments and the Indian authorities.

EDM 1394 - PROFESSOR DAVINDERPAL SINGH BHULLAR

That this House urges the President of India to intervene in the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, who was deported from Germany in 1995 contrary to Article 3 of the European Human Rights Convention and who has been facing a sentence of death in India since 2001, despite the serious doubts expressed by many, including human rights bodies and the most senior judge on the bench in his trial, about the manner in which his conviction was obtained including the use of torture; and urges the United Kingdom Government to do all it can in conjunction with the German Government and the European Union in making representations to the Indian Government to secure justice in this case.

The following 12 MPs signed this motion in the first week.  Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

2. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

3. Caton, Martin (Lab) - Gower

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Durkan, Mark (SDLD) - Foyle

7. Hoyle, Lindsay (Lab) - Chorley

8. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

9. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

10. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

11. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

12. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

EDM 1383 - BEHAVIOUR OF THE INDIAN POLICE\

That this House expresses its deep concern at the recent examples of brutal behaviour of the Indian Police in the eviction of Punjabi farmers from their farms in Kashipur in the State of Uttaranchal, in their violent attack on the protesting vegetable merchants in the old fruit market in Amritsar, and the beating to near death of Sukhvinder Singh Sukha at Phagawara; and calls upon the Government to express formally its condemnation to the Indian High Commission.

The following 20 MPs signed this motion in the first week.  Sikhs are urged to contact their MP to get them to sign as soon as possible.

1. Anderson, Janet (Lab) - Rossendale & Darwen

2. Bottomley, Peter (Con) - Worthing West

3. Campbell, Ronnie (Lab) - Blyth Valley

4. Corbyn, Jeremy (Lab) - Islington North

5. Cryer, Ann (Lab) - Keighley

6. Drew, David (Lab) - Stroud

7. Flynn, Paul (Lab) - Newport West

8. Hamilton, David (Lab) - Midlothian

9. Jones, Lynne (Lab) - Birmingham, Selly Oak

10. Llwyd, Elfyn (PC) - Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

11. Marris, Rob (Lab) - Wolverhampton South West

12. McCafferty, Chris (Lab) - Calder Valley

13. McDonnell, John (Lab) - Hayes & Harlington

14. Meale, Alan (Lab) - Mansfield

15. Robinson, Iris (DUP) - Strangford

16. Singh, Marsha (Lab) - Bradford West

17. Spellar, John (Lab) - Warley

18. Stringer, Graham (Lab) - Manchester, Blackley

19. Wareing, Robert N (Lab) - Liverpool, West Derby

20. Wyatt, Derek (Lab) - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

148460[/snapback]

Etherington, Bill (Lab) - Sunderland North has also signed EDM 1383 taking the number to 21.

148485[/snapback]

The following two MPs have added their names to EDM 1394 (14 MPs in total)

Jenkins, Brian (Lab) - Tamworth

McDonnell, Alasdair (SDLP) - Belfast South

The following three MPs have added their names to EDM 1383 (24 MPs in total)

Simpson, David (DUP) - Upper Bann

McDonnell, Alasdair (SDLP) - Belfast South

Hemming, John (Lib Dem) - Birmingham Yardley

148695[/snapback]

15 MPs now for EDM 1394. The latest signatory is:

Holloway, Adam (Con) - Gravesham

26 MPs now for EDM 1383. The latest signatories are:

Purchase, Ken (Lab) - Wolverhampton North East

Holloway, Adam (Con) - Gravesham

[lsingh]

International Human Rights Organisation

Of the Indian Subcontinent

210, New Judicial Courts Complex, Ludhiana- 141 001

Phone: 91 161 500 9210, 395 7771, 461 7772, WWW.IHRO.IN

Dear Balvinder Kaur Saund:

I on behalf of International Human Rights (IHRO) and Punjab Rights Forum (PRF) thank the group of women from the Sikh Women's Alliance and your very much for joining the candlelight vigil in Ilford Town Centre and subsequently for lobbing with your local MP and Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee, Mike Gapes on the issue of death penalty and the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, including the treatment meted out to the Sikhs in Uttaranchal.

We also thank Mr Mike Gapes who has responded well to your efforts and sent you a positive response (reply) of Kim Howells, the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on the subject matter concerning India.

With regards,

(D S Gill)

Chair IHRO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: SikhEKTA@yahoogroups.com [mailto:SikhEKTA@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Balvinder Saund

Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 3:07 AM

Subject: [sikhEKTA] Death Penalty in India

WJKK WJKF to all Sikh brothers and sisters,

Recently, a group of women from the Sikh Women's Alliance and I joined the candlelight vigil in Ilford Town Centre and following this vigil, I wrote to my local M.P., Mike Gapes on the issue of death penalty and the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and the treatment of Sikhs in Uttaranchal. Mike Gapes is the Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee currently and I have been the Secretary of his Ilford South Constituency for the past three years.

Mike Gapes has today forwarded a reply from Kim Howells, the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in response to my representations, and these are set out below for your information:

'Thank you for your letter of 9th January to the Foreign Secretary on behalf of your constituent Balvinder Kaur Saund, Chairperson of Sikh Women's Alliance about the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and the treatment of Sikhs in India. I am replying as Minister responsible for our relations with India.

We are aware of the case of Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, and share concerns over the use of the death penalty in India. The UK opposes capital punishment in all circumstances. The UK together with EU partners calls upon all states to abolish the death penalty. India's constitution only allows for the death penalty in the 'rarest of rare cases'. In conjunction with the EU, we have marked India about their use of the death penalty, most recently in June 2004, and we will continue to use every appropriate opportunity to press for its abolition. We will continue to monitor this case closely.

We also share Mrs. Saund's concern over religious intolerance and minority discrimination in some parts of India. She mentions specifically reports about the alleged racial discrimination and abuse of human rights of Sikhs living in Uttaranchal.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the rights of everyone to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The U.K. supports this right in international fora and in individual cases where it arises. We condemn all instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.

Our High Commission in New Delhi continues to monitor issues of religious freedom in India. Our staff makes regular calls to Indian authorities flagging up our concern about incidents of religious intolerance. We will continue to insist that the right to freedom of religion is upheld, and that those responsible for attacks against people on grounds of their religion are brought to justice. In this context, we welcomed the comments made by the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his speech at the National Communal Harmony Award event in New Delhi on 2 August 2005, when he said, 'No religion supports violence. Those who resort to violence in the name of religion are doing a disservice to their faith and to humanity. Tolerance is an important lesson of all religions.' Last August, Prime Minister Singh also addressed the first meeting of the National Integration Council for 13 years (in itself of importance). He said, ’...extremism of any form, based on any divisive ideology, cannot be tolerated in any civilised, democratic society....' and later reinforced his commitment stating '...the importance of communal harmony, I think, needs no reiteration. It is the 'sine qua non' of our survival as a civilised society...’

Yours sincerely,

KIM HOWELLS,

Minister of State,

Foreign and Commonwealth Office,