[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND UNFRIENDLY FOREIGN POLICY IN INDIA

                                 ______


                         HON. DANA ROHRABACHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, India recently celebrated the 
anniversary of the adoption of its constitution. While I applaud 
India's embrace of democratic principles, we should not overlook 
India's brutal repression of Sikhs, Christians, and Muslims. India and 
the United States should be friends, but our friendship will become 
increasingly strained unless India starts to practice the democratic 
values it claims.
  Also troubling are India's testing of the Prithvi-II missile. The 
missile's 156-mile range is a clear threat to Pakistan. In context of 
this blatant intimidation of Pakistan, India's desire to test another 
nuclear device can only be seen as an extension of its threats to 
Pakistan. I share India's suspicion of China's regional intentions, but 
that mutual suspicion does not give it leeway to threaten force against 
its other neighbors.
  According to the United States State Department the Indian Government 
paid over 41,000 cash bounties to police officers for the killing of 
Sikhs since 1991. Sikhs are not the only victims of India's state 
terrorism. In addition to the estimated 150,000 Sikhs who have been 
murdered by the Indian Government since 1984, tens of thousands of 
Christians and Muslims have also been killed. In fact, all non-Hindus 
are at risk, of oppression in India. If India is ``the world's largest 
democracy,'' as it claims to be, then how can it pile up such a 
gruesome death toll? If India respects the human rights of the people 
who live in India, why do so many citizens of India want to get out 
from under Indian rule?
  I have criticized the absence of religious freedom in Burma, Vietnam, 
China, and other totalitarian countries. India's record does not seem 
much better. Just this week, the Indian Government jailed an 88-year-
old Catholic priest and a 50-year-old nun on charges of violating a law 
outlawing religious conversion.
  Beyond India's systematic abuse of human rights in Kashmir, Nagaland, 
and Khalistan, I am deeply concerned with India's growing negative role 
in Afghanistan. India's support for the Rabbani regime in Kabul 
troubles me because of Mr. Rabanni's rejection of efforts to return 
Afghanistan to peace. I have proposed that former King Zahir Shah serve 
as a transitional Head of State of Afghanistan while the Afghan people 
write a constitution, organize elections, and ultimately, establish a 
peaceful and democratic Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Mr. Rabanni has 
opposed this possible solution in favor of continued fighting and 
chaos. Indian's support for Rabanni makes him less likely to accept 
reasonable efforts to end Afghanistan's bloodshed.
  India should be our friend. But, Mr. Speaker, the more we learn about 
India, the harder that friendship will be to sustain.

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