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Midland, TX (June 24, 2011) - The human rights records of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia were the topic of discussion with Congressman Mike Conaway (TX-11) in his local office Friday, June 10, 2011. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), along with Hindu American community leaders from Midland and Odessa, TX met with the Congressman to address issues regarding large appropriations to these countries that have failed to curb human rights violations, in some cases, in spite of human rights accountability requirements.

 

"We're pleased that we were able to meet Congressman Conaway and explain in greater detail some of the international human rights issues that are of concern to the Hindu American community,” said Jay Kansara, HAF Associate Director. “Such interactions we hope will prove fruitful in the long run as we inform public officials of gross violations of civil liberties of Hindu minorities in South Asia and elsewhere around the world. Congressman Conaway seems sympathetic to our views and we hope he will take them into consideration when legislating on U.S. interaction with these countries and how much foreign aid money the US appropriates.”

 

Congressman Conaway serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In the meeting, HAF referenced data from the State Department indicating that the U.S. has already given billions of dollars in humanitarian and military aid to the countries discussed at the meeting.

 

"HAF does a great job in representing Hindus in America as well as Hindus throughout the Diaspora, where their rights are not protected abroad,” said Dr. Nipank Shroff, HAF member and physician from Midland. “Hindus who immigrated from India and other parts of the world have been blessed with many opportunities for professional advancement in the US. Unfortunately, Hindus who are a minority in rogue states such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia struggle for their basic rights. This meeting was the first time Midland and Odessa Hindus raised such issues with our Congressman and we are confident we can build upon this relationship.”

 

HAF also provided data from its seventh annual human rights report published in May 2011, Hindus in South Asia and the Diaspora: A Survey of Human Rights. The report documents human rights violations against Hindu minorities in eight countries. Some of the violations include forced conversions, abductions, and temple destruction, among others. The meeting was facilitated by Dr. Jayram Naidu, HAF member and phyisician from Odessa. Also present was Dr. Raj Reddy, a physician from Midland.

 

"I recognize the concern of my Hindu American constituents regarding the plight [of] Hindus who live in countries where their rights are not sufficiently protected," said Congressman Conaway. "The Hindu American Foundation has provided an invaluable service by bringing these issues to my and other lawmakers' attention through their human rights report. It is my hope that in the future we will be able to further elevate the issue of humanitarian concerns and that we may hold these nations accountable for any and all human rights and religious freedom violations.”

 

Congressman Conaway indicated he will be joining the India Caucus as he works on many issues regarding India - Hinduism’s land of origin and home to the largest population of Hindus in the world.