[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      ``INDIA'S DIRTY LITTLE WAR''

                                 ______


                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to put into the 
Record a recent editorial from the New York Times about India's human 
rights abuses in Kashmir. I would like to commend the New York Times 
for paying attention to the atrocities being committed in this distant 
corner of the world, and urge other news media to do the same.
  The Times' editorial was prompted by a report from Human Rights 
Watch/Asian entitled ``Continuing Repression in Kashmir--Abuses Rise as 
International Pressure on India Eases.'' The report details the murder, 
torture, and rape of the Kashmiri people by Indian security forces and 
notes that India's trading partners have ceased pressuring India on 
human rights in order to improve economic relations.
  The report states:

       The human rights situation in Kashmir is getting worse at a 
     time when international pressure on the Indian Government has 
     all but ceased. Indeed, it could be argued that the increase 
     in deaths in custody and other abuses over the last 6 months 
     is not unrelated to the signals sent by India's one-time 
     critics, notably in bilateral discussions.

  Mr. Speaker, this is wrong. We must continue to protest the gruesome 
crimes being committed by Indian forces in Kashmir--gang-rapes, 
torture, murder, torching of entire villages. The Clinton 
administration must not be silent on this issue any more. When Congress 
returns in January, I will renew my efforts to cut India's aid until it 
repeals its repressive laws and stops the oppression in Kashmir. I will 
also reintroduce my resolution calling for U.N. sponsored plebiscite 
for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
  The Human Rights Watch report should be mandatory reading for every 
Member of Congress. I will not include the entire report in the Record, 
but I would like to include the appendix listing the interrogation 
centers in Kashmir where torture is practiced. My colleagues will note 
that it is a lengthy list.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to comment on a related subject. It 
has come to my attention that several of my colleagues have prepared a 
letter to the State Department urging that Pakistan be placed on the 
list of terrorist states. This would be a terrible mistake.
  Placing Pakistan on the list of terrorist states would drive Pakistan 
into the arms of terrorist states such as Iran and Sudan. Instead, we 
should be working to pull Pakistan into a stronger alliance with the 
United States and other Western powers. Pakistan is a democracy which 
has joined us in alliances in the Persian Gulf war, Somalia and 
Afghanistan. This is a relationship we should be building on instead of 
tearing down.
  On the issue of nuclear proliferation, we should be pursuing a policy 
of limiting and reducing nuclear arms on a regional basis in South 
Asia. We must seek a regional agreement to eliminate nuclear arms--in 
Pakistan, India, and all other nations in the region. This is the only 
solution. Attacking only one country is unfair and ignores the reality 
in that area.
  The Pressler amendment has not worked, and it should be replaced with 
a more realistic policy of regional diplomacy.


                               appendix i

       List of interrogation centers in Kashmir where torture is 
     practiced:
       In Srinagar district.--Sonwar Bagh Joint Interrogation 
     Center (JIC), Raja Bagh JIC, Pantta Chhok BSF camp, 
     Government Degree College Bemina (now a CRPF camp), Bagh-e 
     Mehtab JIC, Badami Bagh Army camp, and Old Airport Army camp.
       In Baramulla district.--Pattan Army camp, Doobgah CRPF 
     camp, Wadoora College Sopore BSF camp, Government Degree 
     College Sopore BSF camp, Government Degree College Sopore BSF 
     camp, Sundarwani Bandipora BSF camp, Dawar Gurez BSF camp, 
     Gulmarg (Baba Reshi) Army camp, and Singh Pora Baramullah 
     Army camp.
       In Budgam district.--Pir Bagh Intelligence Bureau 
     Interrogation Centre, Kakao Rini Chrari Sharif BSF camp, Khan 
     Sahib Army camp, Town Hall Budgam CRPF camp, HMT Zainakote 
     CRPF camp, Ompura CRPF camp, and Chana Pora BSF camp.
       In Anantnag district.--Doora Shahabad Army camp, Khanabal 
     Police Lines, Baniball Army camp, Chattergul Brah BSF camp, 
     Khundroo Army camp, Qazigund Army camp, Bijbehara Army camp, 
     and Frisal Army camp.
       In Pulwama district.--Kakapora CRPF camp, Balev Gund Army 
     camp, Shopian BSF camp, Police Lines Pulwama, Boonarta Army 
     camp, Awantipora Army camp, and Tral Army camp.
       In district Kupwara.--Zangli (Kalimitti) BSF camp, Trehgam 
     Army camp, Karnah Army camp rest house, District Police Lines 
     Kupwara, Battergam BSF camp, Chowkibal Army camp, and 
     Drugmullah Army camp.
       In Srinagar city.--Raj Bagh Police/CRPF camp, Seki-Dafar 
     CRPF camp, Pampora (By-pass road) Police station, Bagh-e-Ali-
     Mardan Army/BSF/CRPF interrogation camp, Sakura Army/BSF/CRPF 
     interrogation camp, Tail-Bal Army/BSF/CRPF interrogation 
     camp, Shalimar Army/BSF/CRPF interrogation camp, Shah Cinema 
     Army/BSF/CRPF interrogation camp, Neelam Cinema Army/BSF/CRPF 
     interrogation camp, Hawal Cinema Army/BSF/CRPF interrogation 
     camp, Hari Niwas Interrogation Center (CRPF), Papa I (CRPF), 
     Papa II (BSF), Red 16 (BSF), Gogoland--between the old and 
     new airports (CRPF), Bagi Ali Mardan (Nowshera) (BSF), Lal 
     Bazaar Police Station (BSF), Hotel Mamta, Dal Gate (BSF), and 
     Shiraz Cinema, Khenyar (BSF).
                                  ____


                [From the New York Times, Sept. 6, 1994]

                        India's Dirty Little War

       A relentless, deadly struggle goes on and on in India's 
     mainly Muslim state of Kashmir, where New Delhi is trying to 
     crush forces seeking independence or union with Pakistan. The 
     violence comes from both sides, but India's insistence on 
     resolving a political problem by force has increasingly 
     enmeshed it in a campaign of lawless state terrorism. The 
     ugly results are documented in a new study by Human Rights 
     Watch/Asia.
       Regrettably, Washington, instead of raising its voice to 
     defend human rights, has lowered it in an effort to improve 
     commercial and diplomatic ties. The U.S. may have little 
     power to deter India from repression. But the Clinton 
     Administration should assert American disapproval more 
     forthrightly.
       Kashmir's political status has been disputed almost since 
     the subcontinent was partitioned in 1947. A local Muslim 
     uprising drew armed support from Pakistan. The Hindu 
     maharajah then called in Indian troops who recaptured most of 
     his lost territory. The two countries have confronted each 
     other over tense cease-fire lines ever since. Meanwhile on 
     the Indian side a promised plebiscite was never held and the 
     state was formally incorporated into India in 1954. 
     Separatist agitation continued on and off, flaring again into 
     open conflict in 1989.
       Some pro-Pakistani militant groups have reported to 
     terrorist deeds like kidnapping, assassination and extortion 
     and even to common crime. No political grievance can justify 
     such acts.
       But Human Rights Watch/Asia reports that Indian forces, 
     which are obliged to follow higher standards, have also 
     resorted to reprisal killings and burning down villages. They 
     are also said to be executing many suspects without trial; 
     200 in the first half of this year and 50 in one month alone, 
     according to local human rights groups. There are also many 
     reports of torture and ``disappearances,'' two other common 
     features of state terrorism.
       India insists has prosecuted some responsible for these 
     crimes, but has offered no information about such 
     prosecutions. The State Department, in its latest annual 
     human rights report, said ``there was little evidence that 
     the responsible officials received appropriate punishment.''
       Until this year, American officials were equally candid in 
     their public statements. But more recently, after New Delhi 
     warned that continued human rights criticism could damage 
     relations, the Clinton Administration has gone silent on the 
     subject. Meanwhile, India has aggressively courted help from 
     the likes of China and Iran to block condemnation by the U.N, 
     Human Rights Commission
       The Administration needs to find a firm and consistent 
     voice on human rights, whether in powerful countries like 
     India and China or puny ones like Haiti and Cuba. Selective 
     denunciations carry no moral authority. Criticizing the weak 
     but not the strong is bullying, not leadership.
       Meanwhile India, which captured the world's moral 
     imagination with Gandhi's nonviolent struggle for 
     independence, is now in the unflattering company of countries 
     that use deadly force in keep their unhappy citizens in line.

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