OTTAWA, Canada—The World Sikh Organization of Canada wrote last week to the Portuguese Ambassador to Canada regarding the extradition of Paramjeet Singh Saini. Saini, a permanent resident of the UK, was arrested in Portugal at the request of Indian authorities, who are now demanding his extradition in relation to a 2009 murder. The WSO has called on Portugal to return Saini to his family in the UK as he faces well-founded threats of torture and even death if returned to India.
Mr Saini is an Indian citizen but has lived in the United Kingdom for over 16 years under political asylum with his wife and four young children who are British citizens. He was arrested on December 28, 2015 in Albufeira, Portugal while on vacation with his family. Indian authorities are attempting to use Portugal for Mr Saini’s extradition, instead of applying to the British courts where he normally resides. Mr. Saini had already been investigated in an 11-month joint investigation with Indian and British police in 2010 and insufficient evidence was found for him to be charged and extradited at that time.
The WSO pointed out that Mr. Saini was granted political asylum by the UK in September 2000 due to well-founded fears of persecution by Indian security forces. Mr. Saini’s brother, along with several members of his extended family, have been killed by Indian security forces in the past. Notably, four members of Mr. Saini’s family, aged 80 years, 40 years, 13 years and an infant, were brutally murdered and their bodies set on fire in 1991, allegedly on the orders of Director General of Punjab Police Sumedh Saini who was at the time an SSP.
WSO President Amritpal Singh Shergill said, “Indian attempts to extradite Mr. Saini via Portugal, instead of the UK, are a subversion of proper channels and processes. If Indian authorities have evidence against Mr. Saini, they should bring it to the attention of the British Government. Furthermore, the Punjab Police are infamous for harassing, torturing and levelling false charges against Sikh activists. Over a dozen young Sikhs have been implicated and charged in the case Mr. Saini is currently wanted for but not one conviction has been registered due to lack of evidence. It is not only possible but likely that Mr. Saini would be subjected to mistreatment if he is returned to India. We have written to the Portuguese Ambassador to Canada requesting that Portugal immediately return Mr. Saini to the UK.”
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit human rights organization that promotes and protects the interests of Canadian Sikhs, and advocates for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status. WSO works in cooperation with Sikh societies and organizations across Canada to advocate on behalf of the religious, social, and legal interests of Canadian Sikhs.
Why is not the British Government asking for Mr Paramjit Singh to return as they granted him asylum here… again they suck up to the Indian Government. The world knows what the Indian Authorities are capable of when it comes to getting a fake conviction out of someone by torturing them….. but still Mr Singh is behind bars.
Its a very good point why did the two police officers ran back to India who are guilty as hell for torturing Bhai Ji in the first place….. COWARDS your turn will come when RAJ KAREGA KHALSA!!
Will India extradite those two ‘police’ officers who went to Portugal then ran back to India after it became clear charges would be made (Portugal gave the Indian Government advance warning so they could beat a hasty and undignified retreat back onto Air India flight) against them for having previously tortured Bhai Pamma when they had him in custody (which led to the UK granting him asylum status in the first place)?
Is it a crime to vacation in portugal that Mr Singh has to be detained?! Waheguru Jio kirpa