CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER VISITS INDIA
FEDERATION URGES ACTION BY SIKHS IN GERMANY


On the eve of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's visit to India the Sikh Federation (UK) has urged Sikhs in Germany to ensure pressure is exerted by the Chancellor to raise human rights concerns. An appeal has been made for the Chancellor to raise the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, call for a complete amnesty and release of all Sikh political prisoners and draw attention to the lack of justice for Sikhs 20 years after the November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms.

Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) said:

"With the illegal deportation of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar from Germany almost 10 years ago, Germany recognises it has a moral duty to ensure not only the removal of the threat of the death penalty by India, but also his immediate release. When Chancellor Schroeder meets President Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday he should seek the amnesty and release of all Sikh political prisoners."

"The visit also comes close to the 20th anniversary of the November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms. Chancellor Schroeder should point out the failure of successive governments in India to take actions against those responsible for the events of November 1984. He should also explain that it has left no option but for the international community to establish an independent UN inquiry and decide what action is appropriate against India".

India is not only looking for a trade boost from the visit by Chancellor Schroeder, but also the chance to plead its case for critical technology from the EU, that has remained blocked by sanctions imposed on India after it conducted nuclear tests.

Amrik Singh added: "Sikhs living outside the Indian sub-continent will continue to take every opportunity to exert pressure on India by highlighting its massive abuse of human rights and the lack of justice for Sikhs. The experience of Sikhs since Indian independence and the last 25 years in particular point to the need for Sikhs to be able to freely exercise their right to self determination. The visit by Chancellor Schroeder gives a chance for Sikhs in Germany to ensure the Chancellor uses his visit to force India to take the immediate step of releasing all Sikh political prisoners. These Sikh political prisoners should not only be released, but be allowed to campaign peacefully for the Sikhs right to self determination, including the establishment of an independent sovereign Sikh State, Khalistan".