[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE WORLD MUST NOT FORGET SIKH POLITICAL PRISONERS IN INDIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, India frequently boasts about its democratic 
institutions, so the world pays little attention to the abuses of human 
rights that go on there. Yet it has recently come out that there are 
thousands of political prisoners being held in ``the world's largest 
democracy.''
  These political prisoners are being held in illegal detention for 
their political opinions. Some have been held without charge or trial 
for 15 years. One known case is an 80-year-old man. Yes, India is 
holding an 80-year-old man in illegal detention for his political 
opinions.
  What have these Sikhs done? They have spoken out for freedom for 
their people and an end to the violence against their people. They have 
spoken out against the repression and tyranny that have killed 250,000 
Sikhs since 1984. In India, this is apparently a crime.
  Other minority nations have also seen substantial numbers of their 
members taken as political prisoners by the democratic government of 
India. In addition, the Indian government has murdered over 200,000 
Christians in Nagaland since 1947. Tens of thousands of people in 
Manipur, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and other areas have also died at the hands 
of the Indian government.
  Mr. Speaker, why should the people of the United States support a 
government like this? The answer is that they shouldn't. Yet India 
remains one of the largest recipients of U.S. aid. That aid should be 
ended, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps then India will understand that it must 
respect human rights.
  We should also make clear our strong support for the movement of 
self-determination for the minority peoples and nations of South Asia, 
such as the Sikh homeland of Punjab, Khalistan; the heavily-Muslim 
Kashmir; and Christian-majority Nagaland. Only by conducting a free and 
fair vote can real freedom come to the peoples and nations of South 
Asia.
  I call on the President to press these important issues when he 
visits India next year. This is the only way to bring real stability, 
peace, freedom, and dignity to South Asia.

                          ____________________