Sikh American Organizations Stand with Gurbaksh Singh on 36th Day of His Hunger Strike; Demand Rule of Law in India PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Sukhman Dhami | sdhami@ensaaf.org | 1.800.668.1516 x 101 December 20, 2013 — Numerous organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, have expressed concerns about irregularities in the Indian judicial system and impunity on the part of government officials implicated in atrocities against Sikhs during this period. Their reporting has highlighted, among other things, secret cremations of “disappeared” Sikhs and counterinsurgency laws that facilitated human rights abuses and shielded security forces from prosecution. As organizations committed to universal human rights, including the right to due process, we appeal to the international community for increased oversight over India to ensure that its government upholds the rule of law. Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister, has made no public statement about Gurbaksh Singh’s hunger strike, while Parkash Singh Badal, the Chief Minister of Punjab, ordered the unlawful detention of Gurbaksh Singh for his peaceful protest, before releasing him due to public pressure. We, the undersigned, simply demand that India undertake a judicial review of cases against Sikh prisoners detained under counterinsurgency laws and release those who have served their sentences or have been illegally detained. Ensaaf, Jakara, Sikh Coalition, Sikh Research Institute, SALDEF, UNITED SIKHS-USA
