[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   UNITED STATES MUST SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM FOR SIKHS OF 
                               KHALISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 1997

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I was alarmed to read of the death of Kashmir 
Singh, the Publicity Secretary of the Akali Dal, Amritsar, for the 
district of Hoshiarpur. This incident has, once again, raised serious 
questions about the Indian Government's policies on political dissent.
  According to media reports, Kashmir Singh and his father were taken 
from their home by Indian police at about 1:30 a.m. on March 15. 
Kashmir Singh died in police custody.
  Although the police declared the incident an ``encounter,'' there is 
a long history of such extrajudicial killing in India's campaign of 
oppression against the Sikhs and other minorities in South Asia.
  Even the pro-Government Indian Express called Singh's death ``a cold-
blooded killing.'' Unfortunately the death of Kashmir Singh was not an 
isolated incident. There is an established pattern of repression in 
India. Countless political critics of the regime have been unfairly 
imprisoned, tortured, or disappeared.
  The United States must support human rights and democracy throughout 
the world. Our Nation is a beacon of hope for people seeking self-
determination and freedom. The people of Khalistan deserve that 
support.

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