White House Condemns 1984 Sikh Genocide and Human Rights Violations in India

[Mehtab Singh]

In a jolt to pro-Khalistan groups in the US, the Obama Administration today refused to declare the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as genocide, but noted that grave human rights violations had occurred.

The White House response in this regard came months after a section of the Sikh community in the US launched an online petition campaign urging the Obama Administration to recognise the 1984 riots as genocide.

The petition created on November 15, 2012, had generated more than 30,000 signatures within weeks. Each petition that crosses the threshold of 25,000 signatures is reviewed and receive a response.

"During and after the 1984 violence, the United States monitored and publicly reported on the grave human rights violations that occurred and the atrocities committed against members of the Sikh community," the White House response said.

It noted that the US State Department's Official Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, for example, covered the violence and its aftermath in detail, with sections on political killings, disappearances, denial of fair public trials, negative effects on freedom of religion, and the government's response to civil society organizations investigating allegations of human rights violations.

"We continue to condemn and more importantly, to work against - violence directed at people based on their religious affiliation. US government efforts to protect the rights and freedoms of all people have long been a feature of our foreign policy. Our diplomats regularly report on and speak out against violence against minorities around the world," the White House said in response to the online petition.

Expressing disappointment over the response, the proponents of the petition in a statement said that the Obama Administration "fails to take position on Sikh genocide".

"The response ignores the recent discoveries of mass graves of Sikhs killed during 1984 and falls short of taking a position on the issue of Genocide," said a statement issued by Gurpatwant S Pannun, who heads the New York-based 'Sikh for Justice' group.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/us-refuses-to-declare-1984-antisikh-riots-in-india-as-genocide/1096573/0

[VanHelsingh]

Probably not helped by the fact that when influential Sikhs - Manmohan Singh being one - were broached on the subject they flat-out denied it. Nevertheless it's good to see U.S. Sikh organisations striving to keep the issue at the forefront of current-day discussions.

[Jonny101]

don't lose hope. This is only a temporary setback. If Sikhs keep their pressure up the world will eventually recognize our genocide. Sikh lawyers did a good job and should continue with this.

[13Mirch]

In a jolt to pro-Khalistan groups in the US, the Obama Administration today refused to declare the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as genocide, but noted that grave human rights violations had occurred.

The White House response in this regard came months after a section of the Sikh community in the US launched an online petition campaign urging the Obama Administration to recognise the 1984 riots as genocide.

The petition created on November 15, 2012, had generated more than 30,000 signatures within weeks. Each petition that crosses the threshold of 25,000 signatures is reviewed and receive a response.

"During and after the 1984 violence, the United States monitored and publicly reported on the grave human rights violations that occurred and the atrocities committed against members of the Sikh community," the White House response said.

It noted that the US State Department's Official Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, for example, covered the violence and its aftermath in detail, with sections on political killings, disappearances, denial of fair public trials, negative effects on freedom of religion, and the government's response to civil society organizations investigating allegations of human rights violations.

"We continue to condemn and more importantly, to work against - violence directed at people based on their religious affiliation. US government efforts to protect the rights and freedoms of all people have long been a feature of our foreign policy. Our diplomats regularly report on and speak out against violence against minorities around the world," the White House said in response to the online petition.

Expressing disappointment over the response, the proponents of the petition in a statement said that the Obama Administration "fails to take position on Sikh genocide".

"The response ignores the recent discoveries of mass graves of Sikhs killed during 1984 and falls short of taking a position on the issue of Genocide," said a statement issued by Gurpatwant S Pannun, who heads the New York-based 'Sikh for Justice' group.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/us-refuses-to-declare-1984-antisikh-riots-in-india-as-genocide/1096573/0

Yeah, yeah grave human rights violations. Says the country which has a habit of killing innocents all for the sake of "equality, and the American way." The world at large is corrupt. Don't rely on these "demon-crazys." Be your own man. Sikhs should all unite and make a mass awareness campaign about what happened with us. Not your usual nagar kirtan but something on a massive scale, a global scale.

[JasSinghKhalsa]

When US is patching up ties with Narendra Modi (another Hindu terrorist - mass murderer of muslims in Gujarat), recognising Genocide of Sikhs does not even in anyway serve US interests, India is a big trade partner of US, US software/technology-goods selling in India bring trillions of Dollars back to US. For US and any other western nation, human rights of any body anywhere does not matter, all what matters is Dollars & Pounds. When Indian state and majority Hindus burnt innocents Sikhs alive on streets of Delhi and whole of India, CIA and other Intelligence agencies knew what was going on ...

It would be interesting to seek Sikhs For Justice view on this news, and how this can be challenged ...

[HKaur16]

Definition of RIOT

1

archaic

a : profligate behavior : debauchery

b : unrestrained revelry

c : noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers

2

a : public violence, tumult, or disorder

b : a violent public disorder; specifically : a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent

Definition of GENOCIDE

: the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Its so obvious the difference between the two. America knows very well it was a genocide. They also know about Modi. But world runs on money and power. Why would they bother ruining relations with India?

So much hypocrisy in the world.

[JasSinghKhalsa]

Sikh organisations / Sikh media / Gurudwaras / SGPC / Akal Takht should now sit back and contemplate on this decision, thinking why KHALISTAN is important for our dignity/justice/human-rights protection.

Why without KHALISTAN we are just helpless/wandereres/no body cares about our human rights, if we don't have our own land (even if it is on a small part of GREENLAND, nothing to do with India/Punjab, but I am sure they will even crib on this).

All rich/super-rich Sikhs across the globe (in partial/pooran Swaroop), who don't care about 1984 Genocide should contemplate over this declaration, we can become millionaries/billionaries individually, but do we have any self-respect, do we enjoy any human-rights, do we have a like-like treatment? And if not, what is the root cause of that? My opinion is since we don't have a land of our own, we won't get JUSTICE.

I never used to even think or was a strong supporter of KHALISTAN, but for the past 2+ years, I am becoming a strong supporter of KHALISTAN - We won't get any self-respect/justice/human-rights/turban issue in FRANCE etc. resolved till we have a land of our own - KHALISTAN. Individually we can earn loads of money, build lots of Gurudwaras with beautiful marble/gold inside, but we won't get justice.

The point is we are slaves in one kingdom (pf where we are natives), and we are asking help from strong neighbouring kingdoms who have strong trade relationships with our native kingdom's who have committed our Genocide. Why will neighbouring kingdom help us when we can't seek justice for us in our native kingdom ... KOI KISI KO RAAJ NAAN DEHEN .

[Singh559]

My analsysis: Although they didn't recognize it as a genocide, this is the best article written for awareness. Please cirulate it. This is why Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj said:

Koi Kisi Ko Raaj Na Dehain, Jo Lehain Nij Bal Se Lehain - Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Which means we can't rely on kalyugi sarkars to give justice, but must fight for it with our own spirit.

http://www.sikh24.com/2013/04/white-house-condemns-1984-sikh-genocide-and-human-rights-violations-in-india/#.UVtc-6LviSo

Americas, WORLD | April 2, 2013, 10:18 pm

White House Condemns 1984 Sikh Genocide and Human Rights Violations in IndiaBy: Sikh24 Editors

WASHINGTON, DC, USA (April 2, 2013)–The White House has responded to the petition signed by over 30,000 individuals asking the US Government to “Recognize the Sikh Genocide of 1984″. The petition was launched last year in November and gained popularity through social media channels. Sikh volunteers all over the country also put in efforts to get the petition signed at Gurdwaras. Although at this point, the US Government has not publically recognized the carnage as a genocide, it has however condemned the brutal killings of Sikh men and women post 1984 in India.

The announcement by the White House is a major blow to India, which boasts of being the largest democracy in the World. Human Rights violations in India have been condemned by various Human Rights Organizations in the World, including the Amnesty International and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

The following response was provided by the White House -

Thank you for expressing your views. During and after the 1984 violence, the United States monitored and publicly reported on the grave human rights violations that occurred and the atrocities committed against members of the Sikh community. The State Department’s Official Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, for example, covered the violence and its aftermath in detail, with sections on political killings, disappearances, denial of fair public trials, negative effects on freedom of religion, and the government’s response to civil society organizations investigating allegations of human rights violations.

We continue to condemn — and more importantly, to work against — violence directed at people based on their religious affiliation. U.S. Government efforts to protect the rights and freedoms of all people have long been a feature of our foreign policy. Our diplomats regularly report on and speak out against violence against minorities around the world.

Congress passed the International Religious Freedom Act (.pdf) in 1998, which affirms U.S. commitment to religious freedom, enshrined both in the United States Constitution and in numerous international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

In accordance with the International Religious Freedom Act, the President appoints an Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom to head the Office of International Religious Freedom at the State Department and to advise the Secretary of State and the President on issues related to international religious freedom. The Ambassador is also responsible for providing information related to religious freedom to be included in the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Human Rights Reports) and preparing a separate Annual Report on International Religious Freedom[international Religious Freedom Report (IRFR).] The IRFR describes the status of religious freedom in every country, highlights trends and violations, and details the actions that the United States government is taking to improve freedom of religion.

[Singh559]

I remade a topic with a more balanced and positive analysis of the whole situation.

[Mehtab Singh]

Whether someone likes it or not, but ask any student of economics, as of now India is a growing economy with somewhere like 8% GDP per year. The middle class in India is anywhere close to 250 million and actually has a magnitude of purchasing power which no country can ignore. There are scores of businessmen in Pakistan who are desperate to sell their products and services to such a huge market but thanks to their government, army, and Jihadi janitors, they just can't. US is already outsourcing a lot of jobs to India (besides other places like Malaysia and Philippines) all because of cheap labor charges. And then India has the image of "the world's largest democracy", where (a.) no martial law is imposed as in Pakistan, (b.) no coups happen as in Pakistan, (c.) has an image of a secular democracy inspite of several human rights violations. So one thing is certain, US cannot take any step now or in the near future which will piss India off.

Secondly, the Sikh population in US is not as high as that of non-Sikhs of Indian descent. Agreed, Sikhs are a contributing section of American society but possibly not as much as others. This will be a hard nut to crack, but we have enough examples of those who entered US illegally and then took political asylum. We have enough of those who did fake marriages only to settle here. You think the Americans don't know that? Really? Sorry, and guess what, they know it all! Our own folks (yes yes, not all and not many) have soiled our image here as bad as other Indians and Pakistanis. Those of you who are born and raised here won't know because you never had to stand in line at a US embassy to get a visa to come to the US, so don't bother thinking over it, you won't get it, lol.

Thirdly, Sikhs are not as important to the goray like the Jews are. Nobody cares. All the sweet talk that happened after the Wisconsin incident was a lollypop, stuff it, shut up and move on, that is how you got to live here. The day they need to screw with India, thats the only day we will finally get some sympathy, nothing before that. So quit expecting sympathy from US just like we quit expecting justice from India.

Last but not the least, our evergreen enemy, i.e. lack of unity. We can't even be united when it comes to getting justice. We have to backstab and legpull each other in the name of...whatever it is, whatever we supposedly owe allegiance to. Our enemies have become smarter but we're too busy fighting among ourselves and the result is in front of us today. We've become a joke! Even after 30,000 signatures we couldn't convince the damn world that it was a freaking genocide!

Shame on those who are insensitive to loss of human life! But bigger shame to those who can't even stay united and fight for a common cause!

May Guru Sahib bless SFJ with more Chardi Kala to carry on the struggle!