Several hundred Sikhs gathered and protested in Leuven, Belgium in front of the Central Library where India’s Minister for Urban Development attended 5th EuroIndia Summit on Thursday. The protest rally was organized by Sikh organization of Europe including Sikh Council of Belgium and management committees of European Gurudwaras.
Sikhs who came from UK, Italy, Holland, Germany and other parts of Europe were protesting Nath’s presence in Belgium and demanding that Nath be criminally prosecuted under Belgium’s law for leading an attack on Gurudwara Rakab Ganj on November 1, 1984 in which many Sikhs were burnt alive. Nath’s action amounts to Genocide and Crime and Against Humanity and Belgium’s law provides for prosecution of these crimes in Belgium even when the crime is committed in another country.
According to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), since Belgian Government has not initiated criminal prosecution against Nath, SFJ will start the process of private prosecution against Nath in Belgian Court and will force the Belgian Government to take stand against Nath, a known human rights violator.
In spite of sufficient evidence of Nath’s involvement in the killing of Sikhs in November 1984, PM Singh’s government is letting Nath represent India abroad which undermines the claims of democracy by India. To invite the attention of the world towards apathy of India towards human rights violations and PM Singh’s silence on Nath’s role in the massacre of Sikhs, SFJ will hold a justice rally in Cannes, France on November 02, where PM Singh will be participating in G-20 Summit, added attorney Pannun.
In April 2010 the US Federal Court has issued summons under Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) & Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) against Kamal Nath for his involvement in November 1984 massacre of Sikhs. The suit against Nath has been filed by victims of November 1984 and plaintiffs have asked for a “jury trial”.
Sikhs for justice
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue 59Tth Floor
New York, NY 10118
212.601.2707
support@sikhsforjustice.org
www.sikhsforjustice.org
