LONDON, UK—In a significant show of support to Sikhs in the UK, Jeremy Corbyn, the Leader of the Labour party, has made a personal request to the PM of Portugal, Antonio Costa, to seriously consider the danger to Parmjit Singh Pamma’s life, inherently present in allowing his extradition to Punjab.
He urged the Portuguese PM to have Parmjit Singh returned to the UK, where he has already been granted asylum on the basis of evidence of danger to life via the Indian judicial (and extra-judicial) system.
In the letter, Mr Corbyn highlighted the torture and death of Parmjit Singh’s own brother at the hands of the Indian state.
The Labour leader is fast becoming known as a politician with strong moral values who isn’t afraid of sticking his neck out for what he believes to be right. Unlike many politicians who have caused large amounts of the public to become disengaged in politics due to having poor reputations in sticking to the truth, toying with sentiments for political mileage and generally being perceived as slippery and sneaky.
The case of Parmjit Singh Pamma sits close to the hearts of Sikhs worldwide as it becomes another stark reminder of India’s oppression of it’s own minorities. A country with abhorrent human rights records against Christians, Muslims, so-called low-caste Hindu groups, not to mention Sikhs, have all suffered severely at the hands of the state.
Lots of respect to Mr Jeremy Corbyn – glad to see some politician have a heart – less can be said about the Home Secretary who has stated that this government cannot do anything to stop extradition of Mr Paramjit to the Indian Government. Conservatives wants Sikhs to vote them and shame on people who welcome and greet them at occasions like Vaisakhi…..
Well said and I agree 100%.