Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) have written to the Belgium Prime Minister, Yves Leterme, urging Belgium to stop the Urban Development Minister, Kamal Nath, from entering the country and be arrest for his alleged role as leader of a mob that massacred a large number of Sikhs during the November 1984 Sikh riots.
In the letter, SFJ writes,
"It is a matter of official record as per Justice Nanavati Commission Report-2005 that Kamal Nath was in control of the mob that attacked Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi on November 1, 1984, and many Sikhs were burnt alive.
Kamal Nath admits being present at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at the time."
SJF have called for Nath to be tried for crimes against humanity in Belgium, under the country's principle of extraterritorial jurisdiction for crimes of such magnitude.
SFJ added,
"Through this law, Belgium has successfully prosecuted individuals responsible for genocide in Rwanda."
"To allow Nath to enter Belgium would be contrary to Belgium's commitment to uphold human rights around the world and in violation of Belgian law,"
The group's lawyer, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said,
"Belgium's law provides for extraterritorial jurisdiction to criminally prosecute individuals for crimes against humanity and genocide committed outside Belgium.
Belgium law of extraterritorial jurisdiction does not provide immunity to any head of the states or dignitaries.
Under this law, criminal prosecution was initiated against Ariel Sharon, former Israel PM for his role in the 1982 Sabra-Shatila massacre in Lebanon."
Nath is scheduled to attend the 5th Euro Indian summit in Leuven, Belgium.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
