Ludhiana (December 08, 2010): In a press release sent by Sikhs for Justice it is informed that “[t]o commemorate the Universal Human Right Day, On December 10, 2010, All India Sikhs Students Federation (AISSF) and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) will launch ‘Sikh Insaaf Lehar’ an international campaign under the patronage of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, to collect signatures on ‘1503 Petition’ which will be filed before United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC). The “1503 Petition” will ask UN Human Rights Commission to declare the killings of Sikhs in 1984-97 as “Genocide” under Article 2 of the UN Convention on Genocide and conduct an independent inquiry into the systematic killing of Sikhs throughout India.

According to Karnail Singh Peermohammad, President of AISSF the UN Genocide Convention of which India is also a signatory, imposes a duty on the member states to recognize, punish and prevent the crime of Genocide and through “1503 PETITION” before United Nations, their organization will provide United Nations Human Rights Commission with true facts, figures, documents and evidence related to Sikh Genocide (1984-1997).

From January 06, 2011 AISSF will start collecting, evidence, testimonies, data and documents in support of “1503 PETITION” added President Peermohammad. Since independence, Sikhs not only have been suffering human rights abuses throughout India but the Indian Government has constantly practiced impunity towards those who committed gross human rights violations against Sikhs, added President Peermohammad.

According to attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to Sikhs For Justice, US based human rights advocacy group, in proceedings on “1503 PETITION”, U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (UNHRC) can call witnesses, record testimony; receive documents and evidence related to human rights violations and killings. The U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (UNHRC) commission can also seek response from the country involved. As per attorney Pannun who practices refugee and human rights law in United States, “1503 PETITION” is a very effective tool that United Nations have provided for the suppressed people of the world to approach the UN directly regarding human rights abuses.

President Karnail Singh Peermohammad stated that AISSF and SFJ will approach the United Nations to hold on to India’s application for a permanent seat in the Security Council until India proves its compliance to UN Conventions on Genocide and force India to adopt the following:

1. To allow members of International Human Rights organizations to enter and work in the state of Punjab. Just a few months ago, delegation of US Commission on International Religious Freedom was denied entry by the Indian Government.

2. To recognize the killings of Sikhs from 1984-1997 as “Genocide”, as defined in Article 2 of the UN Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and fulfill its obligations under Article 1 of the Genocide Convention by prosecuting the perpetrators.

3. To take legal and constitutional steps to recognize Sikhism as a separate religion in India.