It is unfortunate to see Amnesty International India using term “riots” to refer to the systematic and widespread killings of the Sikhs in November 1984 in India. It’s painful to see that a human rights body of an international standing was not able to see that the term ‘riot’ was most inappropriate term to refer to a series of organized massacres of a minority community.
Keeping in mind the status of Amnesty International, it seems needless to explain that “rioting” with it’s given meaning does not denote a “Crime Against Humanity” but the organized and systematic massacres of a targeted group with intent to finish them off certainly amounts of “Crimes Against Humanity” and “Genocide”.
I did not find any reasonable answer to the question that Why Amnesty was not able to realize that the term ‘riot’ tends to absolve the responsibility of the perpetrators of November 1984 for “Crimes Against Humanity”?
Now when Amnesty International India is petitioning the government of India seeking justice for the victims of November 1994 massacres, but do Amnesty want people to start another petition asking it to stop further victimization of the victims by not recognizing the crime in it’s true nature?
I admire the efforts of Amnesty International for human rights. I strongly feel and expect that the Amnesty International India must recognize the crimes of November 1984 in their true nature.
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Parmjeet Singh (Advocate)
Editor, Sikh Siyasat News.
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Note: This letter was sent to the Amnesty International India through media contacts (email ids) available on Amnesty International India’s website – www.amnesty.org.in
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Update: The Amnesty International India has updated the petition to replace the term “riots” with “massacres”.
(Note added on: Oct. 23, 2014 | 12:54 IST)