JALANDHAR, Punjab—Sikhs For Justice, which is pursuing the case against Union urban development minister Kamal Nath, has now written a letter to [the] Belgium prime minister to deny entry to Nath in his country where he is scheduled to attend the 5th Euro-Indian summit in Lueven. A fortnight ago the US federal court had reserved its order in a case filed against Kamal Nath.
“It is a matter of official record (Justice Nanavati commission report-2005) that Kamal Nath was in control of the mob that attacked Gurdwara (Sikh temple) Rakab Ganj in Delhi on November 1, 1984 in which many Sikhs were burnt alive. Kamal Nath admits being present at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at the time of the attack. (Under oath statement of Kamal Nath to Justice Nanavati commission),” SFJ has written to Belgian PM Yves Leterme.
It has urged the PM that criminal prosecution of Kamal Nath be initiated under Belgium law for crimes against humanity and deny Nath’s entry into Belgium for participating in [the] Massacre of Sikhs during November 1984.
SFJ attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said, ” Belgium’s law provides for extra territorial jurisdiction to criminally prosecute individuals for crimes against humanity and genocide committed outside Belgium. Belgium law of extra territorial jurisdiction does not provide immunity to any head of [state] or dignitaries. Under this law, criminal prosecution was initiated against Ariel Sharon, former prime minister of Israel for his role in the 1982 Sabra-Shatila massacre in Lebanon.”
“Through this law, Belgium has successfully prosecuted individuals responsible for genocide in Rawanda,” the letter has pointed out.
To allow Nath to enter Belgium would be contrary to the Belgium’s commitment to uphold human rights around the world and in violation of Belgian law, the rights body has argued. A person like Kamal Nath has no place alongside Belgian leaders and citizens who always carried the flag of human rights, it said.
Kamal Nath is scheduled to attend the summit on October 13 and 14.
