"Nath"
to address the 5th EuroIndia Summit on October 13, 2011, Belgium
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) a human rights groups spearheading prosecution of
those responsible for November 1984 Genocide of Sikhs, has sought criminal
prosecution and arrest warrant of Kamal Nath during his upcoming visit to
Belgium for his role in massacre of Sikhs in November 1984.
Kamal Nath, India's Minister for Urban Development
is scheduled to attend and address the 5th EuroIndia Summit on October 13,
2011 in Leuven, Belgium. Taking the opportunity of Kamal Nath's upcoming visit
to Belgium, victims of November 1984 Sikh Massacre has approached Belgian
government to initiate criminal prosecution and arrest Nath for his role in
organizing killing of Sikhs.
Belgium's law provides for "extra territorial
jurisdiction" to criminally prosecute individuals for crimes against humanity
and genocide committed outside Belgium. Belgium law of extra territorial
jurisdiction does not provide immunity to any head of the states or
dignitaries. Under this law, criminal prosecution was initiated against Ariel
Sharon, former Prime Minister of Israel for his role in the 1982 Sabra-Shatila
massacre in Lebanon.
According to attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ
is committed to prosecute to the fullest extent of law, civilly and
criminally, those responsible for killing of Sikhs in November 1984. In April
2010, SFJ initiated civil proceedings against Nath in US Federal Court
resulting in issuance of Summons. Since Belgian law provides for criminal
prosecution of those involved in crimes against humanity, SFJ is seeking
prosecution of Kamal Nath in Belgium during Nath's upcoming visit. This
criminal prosecution can result in issuance of arrest warrants for Kamal Nath
by the Belgium Court, added attorney Pannun.
Sikhs have approached Belgium Prime Minister
Honorable Yves Leterme apprising him of Kamal Nath's role in massacre of Sikhs
and urging to ban Nath's entry into Belgium. "Nath's entry will become 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". A killer
like Kamal Nath has no place alongside Belgian leaders and citizens who have
always carried the flag of human rights", states the letter sent to the
Belgium Premier.
SFJ announced that on October 13, 2011, Sikh
community will hold a protest rally in Leuven, Belgium where Kamal Nath will
be attending and addressing the 5th EuroIndia Summit.