New York, USA: A US court will hear an appeal filed by a Sikh rights and advocacy group along with victims-cum-survivors of Sikh Genocide 1984 in a Sikh rights violation case.
The case was filed by Sikhs For Justice (SJF) against India’s Congress. The lawsuit was earlier dismissed by a US district court on technical grounds. SFJ has filed appeal in a higher court against decision of lower court.
The appeals court will hear the case on December 2, the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) said, adding that its appeal is based on grounds that the victims’ claim against the Congress is not barred under US Supreme Court since plaintiffs in the case have been granted refugee status by California Federal Court for being victims of the 1984 violence.
1984 Yes it’s genocide
Legal advisor to SFJ attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said the US federal law grants “institutional standing” to human rights groups to seek “declaratory judgments” by US Courts.
SFJ is seeking judgement to declare November 1984 violence against the Sikh Community as “genocide”.
He said victims of the 1984 massacres are pursuing their case in an international court after exhausting all judicial remedies in India and there has been denial of justice and impunity to those who orchestrated the attacks for the last 30 years.
The rights group plans to submit a ‘1984 Sikh Genocide’ report to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on November 7.
The case has been filed against the Congress party under Alien Torts Statute for genocide, rape and extra judicial killings; and for aiding and abetting the crimes.