Islamic Human Rights Commission

For immediate release

Press Release

3rd July 1997

VIGIL AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN INDIA
Friday 4th July 1997, 2.30 – 5.30 p.m. outside Indian High Commission, Aldwych, London, WC2

The Islamic Human Rights Commission is organising a vigil outside the Indian High Commission in London, in protest at the continued curfew imposed on Muslims in Lucknow in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

There have been 830 detentions of Muslims in the area since 26th June, when the curfew was imposed. The detentions have been made under the Indian maintenance and security laws, which allow detention for up to two years without charge.

IHRC is calling for the release of all political detainees, some of whom have been transported to prisons in central India. In a letter to the Indian High Commissioner, Chairman of the IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh, said:

“We call for the immediate release of all political detainees. India’s actions show that their claims to just, democratic rule are a sham. India’s governments of whatever political hue seem to be steadily moving towards the agenda of Hindu extremists represented by the BJP. Supporters of the BJP have openly called for a genocide of Muslims across India, and yet they have been allowed to operate as a legitimate political party.

“We call on the Indian government to stand up to its responsibilities towards all its communities, of whatever confessional backgrounds.”

For more information, please call the Press Office on 0181 931 1919 / 0958 522 196, or 0958 60 74 75.