Post by Punjab2000 on Nov 11, 2004 22:46:04 GMT
Please see the photos from the SIKH LOBBY DAY - 11 November 2004
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SIKH REMEMBRANCE DAY
11 November 2004
12.30pm - BRITISH MPs CALL FOR DEBATE IN THE UK PARLIAMENT ON NOVEMBER 1984
At the start of Business in the House of Commons Oliver Heald, the Conservative MP for North-East Hertfordshire and Shadow Leader of the House in an unprecedented move asked if Phil Woolas MP, the Deputy Leader of the House would join him to welcome the Sikh community to Westminster today.
He also asked him if he had seen Early Day Motion 1890, which commemorates the thousands of victims of the anti-Sikh pogroms of November 1984 and calls for an inquiry into what happened at that time. Oliver Heald also asked if it would be possible to have a debate on this subject in the short amount of time remaining of the 2003-04 Parliamentary Session. The Deputy Leader confirmed on behalf of the UK Government that he had read EDM 1890 and fully supported the hon. Gentleman's remarks about the Sikh community.
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Hundreds of Sikhs from across the UK came together on 11 November in London on Remembrance Day to recall Sikh sacrifices in the First World War and mark the 20th anniversary of the massacre of up to 20,000 innocent Sikhs in anti-Sikh pogroms in Delhi and cities throughout India in November 1984.
It was also an opportunity to welcome Sikh children from France and hear their passionate appeal for help from British Sikhs and UK Parliamentarians to challenge an unjust law in France.
11.00am - BRITISH SIKH REPRESENTATIVE LAYS WREATH AT THE CENOTAPH
The day began with Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), the first and only Sikh political party in the UK, joining a representative from each of the three main political parties to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate Sikh sacrifices. The wreath of poppies had a large Khanda at the centre and the words "We will never forget Sikh sacrifices" and "Never forget 84".
Thousands, including hundreds of war veterans, watched Amrik Singh being accompanied by Ivor Caplin the Labour Minister for War Veterans at the Ministry of Defence, Lord Strathclyde the Conservative Leader in the House of Lords and Paul Keetch MP, Liberal Democrat Defence spokesman. Sikh participation was greatly appreciated at the remembrance event and this was formally acknowledged by Bruce Simpson the Chairman of the Western Front Association that organise the event to take place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month that officially marks the end of the First World War.
The Sikh Remembrance Day / Sikh Lobby Day focused on:
20th anniversary of November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms - It will provide an opportunity to reflect on the lack of justice for Sikhs over the last 20 years and UK MPs/Lords will be encouraged to urge the UK Government to take the lead in the international community to establish an independent UN inquiry into the failure of successive governments in India to take sufficient actions against those responsible for the events of November 1984. A paper produced by the Human Rights Advisory Group to the Panjabis in Britain APPG relating to the November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms will be launched on the Sikh Remembrance Day at 3.30pm. Please ensure your MP has signed EDM 662 if it is in accordance with Parliamentary protocol and also encourage your MP to get other MPs to do the same.
Freedom of religious expression in French schools - It will provide an opportunity to hear directly from Sikh children from France about their experiences in being denied the freedom to practice their religion at school and to find out what UK politicians can do to help challenge the law in France. Please ensure your MP has signed EDM 461 if it is in accordance with Parliamentary protocol and also encourage your MP to get other MPs to do the same.
Sikhs right to self-determination - It will allow participants to receive an update on the paper produced and adopted by the Human Rights Advisory Group to the Panjabis in Britain APPG on the Sikhs right to self determination.
Other topical issues of importance to British Sikhs - It will allow Sikhs to raise other issues, such as the continued failure of public authorities not to separately recognise and monitor Sikhs, the British Library's failure to ensure the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is treated with respect, the offensive actions of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in denying visas to Kirtani Jathas and referring to them as "amateur entertainers" etc.
The Sikh Federation (UK), the first and only Sikh political party has jointly organised this event with Young Sikhs, National Council of Gurdwaras, Khalsa Human Rights and Sikh Secretariat.
Click for Photos
More Photos !
SIKH REMEMBRANCE DAY
11 November 2004
12.30pm - BRITISH MPs CALL FOR DEBATE IN THE UK PARLIAMENT ON NOVEMBER 1984
At the start of Business in the House of Commons Oliver Heald, the Conservative MP for North-East Hertfordshire and Shadow Leader of the House in an unprecedented move asked if Phil Woolas MP, the Deputy Leader of the House would join him to welcome the Sikh community to Westminster today.
He also asked him if he had seen Early Day Motion 1890, which commemorates the thousands of victims of the anti-Sikh pogroms of November 1984 and calls for an inquiry into what happened at that time. Oliver Heald also asked if it would be possible to have a debate on this subject in the short amount of time remaining of the 2003-04 Parliamentary Session. The Deputy Leader confirmed on behalf of the UK Government that he had read EDM 1890 and fully supported the hon. Gentleman's remarks about the Sikh community.
------------------------------------
Hundreds of Sikhs from across the UK came together on 11 November in London on Remembrance Day to recall Sikh sacrifices in the First World War and mark the 20th anniversary of the massacre of up to 20,000 innocent Sikhs in anti-Sikh pogroms in Delhi and cities throughout India in November 1984.
It was also an opportunity to welcome Sikh children from France and hear their passionate appeal for help from British Sikhs and UK Parliamentarians to challenge an unjust law in France.
11.00am - BRITISH SIKH REPRESENTATIVE LAYS WREATH AT THE CENOTAPH
The day began with Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), the first and only Sikh political party in the UK, joining a representative from each of the three main political parties to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate Sikh sacrifices. The wreath of poppies had a large Khanda at the centre and the words "We will never forget Sikh sacrifices" and "Never forget 84".
Thousands, including hundreds of war veterans, watched Amrik Singh being accompanied by Ivor Caplin the Labour Minister for War Veterans at the Ministry of Defence, Lord Strathclyde the Conservative Leader in the House of Lords and Paul Keetch MP, Liberal Democrat Defence spokesman. Sikh participation was greatly appreciated at the remembrance event and this was formally acknowledged by Bruce Simpson the Chairman of the Western Front Association that organise the event to take place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month that officially marks the end of the First World War.
The Sikh Remembrance Day / Sikh Lobby Day focused on:
20th anniversary of November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms - It will provide an opportunity to reflect on the lack of justice for Sikhs over the last 20 years and UK MPs/Lords will be encouraged to urge the UK Government to take the lead in the international community to establish an independent UN inquiry into the failure of successive governments in India to take sufficient actions against those responsible for the events of November 1984. A paper produced by the Human Rights Advisory Group to the Panjabis in Britain APPG relating to the November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms will be launched on the Sikh Remembrance Day at 3.30pm. Please ensure your MP has signed EDM 662 if it is in accordance with Parliamentary protocol and also encourage your MP to get other MPs to do the same.
Freedom of religious expression in French schools - It will provide an opportunity to hear directly from Sikh children from France about their experiences in being denied the freedom to practice their religion at school and to find out what UK politicians can do to help challenge the law in France. Please ensure your MP has signed EDM 461 if it is in accordance with Parliamentary protocol and also encourage your MP to get other MPs to do the same.
Sikhs right to self-determination - It will allow participants to receive an update on the paper produced and adopted by the Human Rights Advisory Group to the Panjabis in Britain APPG on the Sikhs right to self determination.
Other topical issues of importance to British Sikhs - It will allow Sikhs to raise other issues, such as the continued failure of public authorities not to separately recognise and monitor Sikhs, the British Library's failure to ensure the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is treated with respect, the offensive actions of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in denying visas to Kirtani Jathas and referring to them as "amateur entertainers" etc.
The Sikh Federation (UK), the first and only Sikh political party has jointly organised this event with Young Sikhs, National Council of Gurdwaras, Khalsa Human Rights and Sikh Secretariat.