The Sikh Coalition Newsletter

Justice for All - The Weekly Newsletter
Chet 22, Nanakshahi Samvat 533
April 5, 2002
Volume 5

This week brought many challenges. The Sikh Coalition continues it advocacy work to promote civil liberties and human rights of Sikhs and non-Sikhs around the world. We appreciate your continued support with our ongoing efforts to promote the sovereign Sikh identity.

Stranded passenger with Kirpan denied access to plane calls The Sikh Coalition and is able to fly home
April 1, 2002
A Sikh was detained for 4-hour hours in jail because of his Kirpan at the Philadelphia International Airport on March 31, 2002. He was released after the police realized that he was not a security threat and was asked to take the next flight to Los Angeles, his destination. United Airlines, citing security concerns, refused to let him board the plane the next morning. The Coalition was contacted on the morning of April 1 to assist the Sikh. After the Coalition involved the Department of Transportation in Washington, United Airlines was forced to allow the Sikh to board the next flight by the afternoon.

Law and Justice in Punjab: Is the Process a Part of the Punishment?
A Human Rights Conference Exploring Domestic and International Legal Remedies to Human Rights Violations in Punjab on April 27, 2002
This conference will examine various human rights challenges facing the people of Punjab and the effectiveness of domestic and international legal remedies in achieving redress for past human rights violations. A multi-national gathering of human rights scholars, lawyers, journalists and other defenders will synthesize previous studies and present fresh research and updates on a variety of issues, including disappearances, judicial impunity, proposals for police amnesty, and current legal matters pending before India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Moving beyond a mere descriptive analysis of the abuses, the Columbia conference will also serve as a platform for ongoing advocacy efforts aimed at identifying areas of further research and exploring avenues of redress for victims, including the utilization of international legal venues in pursuit of justice for victims of human rights violations. For more information and to register, please visit http://www.sikhcoalition.org/upcoming.asp

The Sikh Coalition to Present at Sikh Youth Conference 2002 at San Jose State University
Conference on April 6, 2002
The Sikh Student Association of San Jose State University is organizing a conference on “Growing up as a Sikh in the Western World.” Jasmit Singh, Co-Director, Office of Education Affairs, for The Sikh Coalition will be presenting a paper entitled, “Our Roots on the North American Soil.”
For more information on the conference, please visit
http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/rsingh/conference/index.htm

Columbia University Sikhs to Screen SAALT Video on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 7:30 pm
Announcement
CU Sikhs, a constituent member of the Coalition will screen a video produced by The South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow, a leading organization addressing hate crimes and other civil rights issues affecting South Asian Americans. The video is entitled, "Raising Our Voices: South Asian Americans Address Hate." The 25-minute video will be followed by a panel discussion with activists who have been dealing with the post September 11th bias attacks.

The screening and discussion will take place at Dodge Room in Earl Hall at Columbia University in New York City at 7:30 pm. For more information, please contact youth@sikhcoalition.org

NYPD Turban Challenge Update
Background research and documentation work continues
Kashmira Singh (Mann) of New Scotland Yard has provided the Coalition with information and photographs documenting the employment of Sikh police officers in Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in London, United Kingdom. MPS employs 16 turbaned Sikh police officers. Kashmira Singh, as the chairperson of Metropolitan Police Sikh Association, has also provided a letter addressed to Raymond Kelly, the Police Commissioner of the NYPD. In addition, Ann Lowthian of the World Sikh Organization has written to the Commissioner supporting The Sikh Coalition’s campaign for justice. For documentation and information, please visit: http://www.sikhcoalition.org/amricsingh.asp

With your activism, the number of signatures on the petition to Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD has reached over 6,400. Also, if you or your friends have not had the opportunity, please sign the Coalition petition requesting the NYPD to abolish the no turban rule at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/SikhNYPD/petition.html

The Coalition encourages aspiring Sikhs to apply for Police Officer Exam. Please go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/misc/po-test-appendixa.html to apply. The application deadline is Midnight, April 19, 2002. This will strengthen Amric Singh’s case by showing the NYPD that other Sikhs also want to serve in the police force.

The Coalition Applauds Speedy Action by the US Department of Justice
US Attorney’s Office Takes Action
The Civil Rights Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Attorneys' offices have investigated approximately 350 allegations involving violence or threats since September 11. The allegations include telephone, internet, mail, and face-to-face threats; minor assaults, assaults with dangerous weapons, and assaults resulting in serious injury and death; and vandalism, shootings, and bombings directed at homes, businesses, and places of worship.

On March 28, 2002, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida filed a criminal complaint against Charles Franklin under 18 U.S.C. 247 for driving his pickup truck into the door of the Islamic Center Mosque in Tallahassee, Florida.

Tell Bush, "Do Not Unsign the International Criminal Court Treaty"
The Coalition Supports Amnesty International’s Initiative

Members of the Bush Administration have indicated that they are considering "unsigning" the International Criminal Court (ICC) Treaty. The ICC is an important mechanism for international justice and will serve to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to trial. Please write to President Bush immediately. Tell him that the best way to advance the cause of international justice and protect American interests is to work cooperatively with other governments to ensure that the ICC is a court of high integrity and fairness and to urge him not to "unsign" this treaty.
Please take action by visiting:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=1281

The Coalition Condemns Indian Supreme Court’s Death Penalty Against Prof. Davinderpal Singh
Indian Supreme Court Confirms Death Sentence Under Repressive TADA

Prof. Davinderpal Singh (Bhullar) was arrested, detained and tried under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), which is no longer in force. The United Nation has termed TADA as "disturbing and completely unacceptable." Because of the dubious nature of evidence against him, Prof. Bhullar had appealed to the Indian Supreme Court. The majority judgment was delivered by Justices B.N. Aggarwal and Arijit Pasayat. Mr Justice M.B. Shah, in his dissenting verdict, acquitted the accused. For more information about this case, please visit http://www.shrg.org/davindersingh.html


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