Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (US Congress)

Sikh Genocide 1984

US Congressional committee to hold briefing on November 1984 Anti-Sikh Pogroms in India

By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

September 26, 2014

Washington, DC: The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, a US Congressional committee, will conduct a hearings and briefings on “Thirty Years of Impunity: The November 1984 Anti-Sikh Pogroms in India” on September 30. The hearings and briefings would coincide the summit meetings between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama at the White House.

As per information posted on website of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission a special screening of ‘The Widow Colony’, an award-winning documentary that amplifies the voices of Sikh widows who lost loved ones in the November 1984 Anti-Sikh Pogroms in India.

“After the film, panelists will discuss India’s failure to prosecute the architects of the pogroms; discuss the importance that accountability will have for India’s future; and provide recommendations for US foreign policy in relation to India,” the committee said.

The panelists include Manoj Mitta, author of ‘When a Tree Shook Delhi: The 1984 Carnage and Its Aftermath’, filmmakers Harpreet Kaur and Manmeet Singh and Sukhman Singh Dhami, co-director of Ensaaf.

A post on The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission’s website reads as follows:

Thirty Years of Impunity: The November 1984 Anti-Sikh Pogroms in India BRIEFING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 10 AM ROOM 2456 OF THE RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING This briefing will take place at 10 AM on 9/30/2014, in Room 2456 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The briefing is open to members of Congress, congressional staff, the media and the interested public. DATE: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 TIME: 10 AM LOCATION: Room 2456 of the Rayburn House Office Building BACKGROUND During the first week of November 1984, an estimated 3,000 Sikhs were massacred in India’s capital. According to eyewitnesses and Indian human rights activists, the killings were organized by government officials and facilitated by police officials. Thirty years later, justice continues to elude those whose lives were affected by the violence. Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a special screening of The Widow Colony, an award-winning documentary that amplifies the voices of Sikh widows who lost loved ones in the November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms and whose struggle for justice continues to this day. After the film, panelists will discuss India’s failure to prosecute the architects of the pogroms; discuss the importance that accountability will have for India’s future; and provide recommendations for U.S. foreign policy in relation to India. WITNESS LIST •Manoj Mitta, Author — When a Tree Shook Delhi: The 1984 Carnage and Its Aftermath •Harpreet Kaur and Manmeet Singh — Filmmakers, Sach Productions •Sukhman Singh Dhami, Co-Director, Ensaaf Moderator: Rajdeep Singh, The Sikh Coalition For any questions, please contact the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at 202-225-3599 or tlhrc@mail.house.gov.

James P. McGovern

Co-Chair, TLHRC

Frank R. Wolf

Co-Chair, TLHRC