New York: A US-based Sikh advocacy group has
approached the Belgium government seeking criminal prosecution
and arrest of Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, who is
scheduled to visit Belgium next week, for his alleged role in
the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
In a letter sent to Belgium Prime Minister Yves Leterme,
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has said Nath should be denied entry
into the country and criminal prosecution must be initiated
against him.
Nath is scheduled to attend and address the 5th EuroIndia
Summit on October 13, 2011 in Leuven, Belgium.
SFJ Legal Advisor Gurpatwant Pannun said Belgium's law
provides for "extra territorial jurisdiction to criminally
prosecute individuals for crimes against humanity and genocide
committed outside Belgium".
Belgium's law does not provide immunity to any head of
states or dignitaries, he said citing the criminal prosecution
case initiated against Ariel Sharon, former Prime Minister of
Israel for his role in the 1982 Sabra-Shatila massacre in
Lebanon.
"Nath's entry will be a black spot on Belgium's impeccable
record of commitment to human rights and will violate
Belgium's long held position on crimes against humanity," SFJ
said in the letter sent to the Belgian premier.
"We strongly demand that Kamal Nath should be banned from
entering into Belgium permanently and instead Belgium should
initiate criminal prosecution of Nath for his role in massacre
of Sikhs in November 1984".
The letter cited Nath's role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots
in Delhi.
In April 2010, SFJ had initiated civil proceedings against
Nath in US Federal Court here after which summons were issued
to the minister.
SFJ said the Sikh community will hold a protest rally in
Leuven on October 13 against Nath.
PTI
First Published: Friday, October 07, 2011, 18:47