LONDON, UK—The global attention fell on India, as crowds of banner-waving supporters gathered outside the office of the British Prime Minister David Cameron seeking truth, justice, and dignity for all minorities in India.
A massive rally, on International Humans Rights Day, brought leaders from governing and opposition parties together in an unprecedented show of unity with the campaigners to deliver the petition containing the voices of over 118,000 people to Downing Street to coincide with the 64th anniversary of the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
One of the central demands of the petition was to urge Prime Minister to request India to sign and ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the UN Charter against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading treatment or punishment, which encompasses the ‘death penalty’.
“On 24 May 2012, India’s human rights record came under renewed international scrutiny during its second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council. Research conducted by Amnesty International, NGOs and academic bodies and individuals have all painted a worrying picture of the prevalence of torture and other ill-treatment committed by both official and non-state-actors throughout India” reports Amnesty International.
“The Indian government is well aware of the rampant beatings, sexual assault, and other torture in Indian police stations” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The urgent need for police reform & accountability simply isn’t being addressed under existing laws.”
An excerpt of the Letter
A letter of support was also delivered to David Cameron urging him “To lead the UK government in a renewed effort to persuade the Indian Government to renounce capital punishment and address outstanding human rights abuse concerns.”
The letter, written by John McDonnell, states that “The Kesri Lehar campaign was launched by members of the Punjabi community in Britain in response to the continued adherence to the implementation of the death penalty by the Indian government. The petition also highlights the concerns surrounding human rights abuses generally.”
Letter Addressed to the British Prime Minister can be read here.
Hamilton praises the Kesri Lehar Campaign
MP Fabian Hamilton, the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for UK Sikhs praised the Kesri Lehar mounting campaign. Speaking to supporters and campaigners Hamilton said, “I declare my support for the campaign and for the issues being raised in the campaign.” He called the campaign long, but incredibly successful.
Key conclusion from the televised meeting of the campaigners held at House of Commons, Westminster
Kesri Lehar held its first parliamentary meeting, Chaired by Labour MP John McDonnell, in Committee Room of the House of Commons. Many MPs, Lords and guest speakers from various minority groups and human rights organisations addressed the meeting.
The speakers highlighted in their speeches the need to put an end to the large-scale gross violations of human rights perpetrated by Union of States Government of India, especially, before it bids for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
FCO’s Report – “Human Rights Work in 2011” – Published on October 17, 2012
It is pertinent to mention the Foreign Affairs Committee argued in its parliamentary report published in October 2012 that it would be in UK Government’s interest to be more transparent and for Ministers to be bolder in acknowledging the contradictions between the UK’s interests overseas and its human rights values, rather than trying to assert that the two can co-exist freely.
Following the publication of the report, the FCO spokesperson said:
“We welcome the Foreign Affairs Committee’s report and their acknowledgement of the UK’s strong record in upholding human rights across the world. Human rights are essential to and indivisible from our foreign policy objectives. They are part of our national DNA and are woven deeply into the decision-making processes of our foreign policy at every stage. We cannot achieve long term security and prosperity unless we uphold our values. We promote human rights painstakingly and consistently. Our starting point for engagement on human rights with all countries is based on what is practical, realistic and achievable, although we are always ready to speak out as a matter of principle.”
“The UK will take forward prosperity drive while maintaining the commitment to human rights as a core value at the heart of foreign policy and that there is no room for double standards.” adds William Haque, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
