New York, NY: July 17th 2010: VOICES FOR FREEDOM calls for India to sign onto and ratify the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court (ICC). Documented cases of genocide and crimes against humanity have gone without justice for far too long in India, making it clear that the government or judiciary is either unwilling or unable to end impunity. In light of this culture of impunity, Voices For Freedom urges the government of India to take a positive step towards ensuring justice for its citizens by means of signing and ratifying the Rome statute and submitting to the jurisdiction of the ICC. India fails to recognize that it committed genocide of the Sikhs from 1984-1997.
The ICC, established in 2002, already has over one hundred member states. As an organization which is independent of the United Nations, its goal is to, “help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.”[1] It does so by stepping in where member states refuse to or cannot prosecute accused perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression.
India is a burgeoning economic powerhouse, and refers to itself as the world’s largest democracy. According to the Asian Centre for Human Rights (an organization funded by the European Commission), from 1999-2009, 1,511 deaths by means of police torture have been reported in India. It is clear that this culture of impunity must be quashed, and a stand must be taken. India must sincerely commit to ending impunity. As a part of this commitment, it is essential that it signs onto, and ratify the Rome Statute. Not to have done so yet is simply unacceptable. In light of International Justice day, Voices For Freedom once again, urges the India’s adoption of not only the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court, but also the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Issued By:
Jagtaran Singh
jagtaran.singh@voicesforfreedom.org
Phone: 646-219-2863
