Patiala (February 02, 2011): The Sikh Students Federation has raised its concern for human rights as the organization believes that a policy of Punjab Government assuring immunity to police officials accused of committing gross violations of human rights would deteriorate the condition. “As per international norms the State is under obligation to prevent abuse of human rights abuse, and punish the guilty; and policy extending immunity to violators amounts to breach of that obligation” said SSF President Parmjeet Singh Gazi, while referring to obligation undertaken by the Indian State by signing Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
“Many high officials of Punjab police were involved in abuse of human rights during the days of militancy in Punjab. The practise of stages encounters, enforced disappearances, custodial torture and extra-judicial killings was widespread and systematic” alleged Parmjeet Singh Gazi, while maintaining that it amounted to “Crimes against Humanity”.
SSF has blamed both successive governments of Punjab and the Indian State for winking at alleged ‘systematic and widespread’ abuse of human rights in Punjab. “The forums established by India to tackle the problem of human rights abuse have failed to address the matter, as no in-depth enquiry is ever conducted, leave apart the question of punishing the guilty” asserted SSF President.
Gazi called upon various human rights groups as well as the civil society of Punjab, and India, to strongly oppose the policy of Punjab Government to protect tainted police officers and rewarding them with high posts.