SIKH LOBBY DAY

[Singh_Shiromani]

SIKH LOBBY DAY

On 5 November 2003 Sikh representatives from across the UK assembled at the Houses of Parliament on the Sikh Lobby Day and the Sikh Federation (UK) launched a year long campaign and series of events to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the genocide of Sikhs in 1984.

The Federation pledged to raise Early Day Motions concerning the genocide of Sikhs in June 1984 and the November 1984 pogroms against tens of thousands of innocent Sikhs. Around 80 different UK MPs have signed one or more of the following motions:

• EDM 664 - 20th Anniversary of the storming of the Golden Temple Complex

• EDM 663 - Violation of human rights of Sikhs in India

• EDM 662 - 20th Anniversary of November 1984 attacks on Sikhs

Please urge your MP to sign these motions if he/she is not prevented by Parliamentary protocol. Your MP has until 18 November 2004, which is the last day of the 2003-04 Parliamentary Session. The Sikh Lobby Day on 11 November 2004 will provide an opportunity to:

i) reflect on the lack of justice for Sikhs over the last 20 years and urge UK MPs to take the lead in urging the international community to establish an independent UN inquiry into the failure of successive governments in India to take sufficient actions against those responsible for the events of November 1984

ii) hear from Sikh children from France about their experiences in being denied the freedom to practice their religion at school and to find out what UK MPs and MEPs can do to challenge the law in France

iii) receive an update on the paper produced and adopted by the Human Rights Advisory Group on the Sikhs right to self determination and the endors

ement by UK Parliamentarians

Please contact your constituency MP and arrange an appointment to meet him/her between 1.30-3.30 pm in the Central Lobby on Thursday 11 November 2004. Also invite your MP to the meeting and presentations in the Atlee Suite, Portcullis House from 3.30-5.30 pm. Sikhs from across the UK need to take part in this lobby to show we have a voice and it must be heard.

1.30-3.30pm - St. Stephen's entrance and Central Lobby

3.30-5.30pm - Atlee Suite, Portcullis House

www.sikhfederation.com

info@sikhfederation.com

sikhfederationbirmingham@yahoo.co.uk

www.gngsmethwick.com