Press Release –
September 28, 2009
Universal Respect for Human Rights without Borders
Petitions the
Government of Oman
His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and
Omani Citizens,
India and Oman have
centuries-old cherished relationship of friendship and trade. It has
been strengthened under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, based on common ethos
of progressive values and human rights. Thousands of Indians of all
religions live and work in Oman with honor and respect, contributing to
the benefit of both the countries.
Unfortunately that
common ethos and values of the Indian constitution and Oman’s culture
have been flagrantly violated by Mr. Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister
of the state of Gujarat. In February 2002, as Chief Minister of Gujarat,
Mr. Modi presided over and orchestrated widespread riots in which about
2000 hapless Muslims were massacred and more than 200,000 were rendered
homeless. The execution of what has been called the Gujarat Genocide has
been widely reported and documented by the media (http://www.tehelka.com/home/20071103/
;
http://bit.ly/qR7fO ;
http://bit.ly/qOdTB)
Tens of thousands of
displaced Muslims are still unable to return to their homes fearing
further attacks. The process of justice has been subverted to deny
justice to the victims. There have been many incidences of harassment of
Christians and burning of Churches.
Mr. Modi and 61 others
that include cabinet colleagues, policemen and civil servants currently
are under criminal investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT)
specially constituted by the Supreme Court of India for their role into
allegations of mass murder and criminal conspiracy.
Earlier this year, fDi
(Foreign Direct Investment) Magazine, of the Financial Times Group,
declared Narendra Modi “Asian Personality of the Year 2009”. But after
reviewing charges against Mr. Modi, the magazine withdrew the award
(http://bit.ly/2yt3Cr)
It has been reported in
the press (http://bit.ly/MzAwP) that Mr. Modi has managed to obtain an
invitation to Oman to finance the development of a port in Gujarat. The
US and many European countries have already denied entry visa to Mr.
Modi in punishment for his role in the Gujarat carnage. Mr. Modi is
trying to rehabilitate himself in the international-arena by his visit
to Oman. In the process the reputation of Oman would be besmirched.
People from all over
the world have joined thousands of citizens of India, and brave people
of Gujarat, to petition the Government of Oman, through its ambassador
to India, to deny Mr. Modi the coveted visa to Oman, based on his record
of murder and mayhem.
(http://www.petitiononline.com/modi2009/petition.html)
We request the
genteel, peace and justice loving people of Oman, and the enlightened
government of Sultan Qaboos to rescind visa to Mr. Modi and make
investments and collaborations with the Gujarat government contingent on
justice to the innocent victims of the Gujarat Massacre. This will
reaffirm the morality-based friendship of Oman and India, without the
stain of appearing to condone Mr. Modi’s crimes against humanity.
Universal Respect For
Human Rights Without Borders
[email protected]
Najid Hussain:
[email protected]
Mirza A.
Beg:
[email protected]
Zafar Iqbal:
[email protected]
Tariq Farooqi:
[email protected]
Fazal R.
Khan:
[email protected]
Endorsing Organizations:
Ahsan Jafri Foundation
Dr. Najid Hussain
Aligarh Alumni Association Metropolitan Washington (AAA)
Dr. Rafat Husain
Aman Biraderi
Mr. Harsh Mandar
Association for India’s Development (AID)
Dr. Mohan Bhagat
Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace
Fr. Cedrick Prakash
CERAS
Dr. Daya Varma
Coalition Against Genocide
Mr. Khalid Azam
India Unity
Dr. Satinath Chowdhary
NRIs for Secular and Harmonious India (NRI-SAHI)
Pluralism, Interfaith,
Peace
Mr. Mike Ghouse
Sabrang
Ms. Teesta Setalvad
Sadbhav
Mission
Dr. Vipin Tripathi
South Asia Citizens Web (SACW)
Mr. Harsh Kapoor
The Organization of Universal Communal Harmony (TOUCH)
Ms. Sushila Gidwani
Vaishnava Center for Enlightenment
Mr. Shrikumar Poddar