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WASHINGTON DC (May 16, 2006) – The
Hindu American Foundation (HAF) expressed support over portions
of the annual report released by the United States Commission
on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on May 3, 2006.
The report, which aims to draw the U.S. government’s
attention to countries with systematic violations of religious
freedom, continues to designate Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC). Both Bangladesh
and Afghanistan were placed on the Commission’s “Watch
List” this year, indicating that they are at risk for
placement on the CPC list. These recommendations were forwarded
to the US State Department for evaluation and further action.
HAF welcomed the report’s highlighting
of religious violations that Hindus and other minorities continue
to face in many countries designated as CPC’s. HAF’s
own upcoming annual survey of Hindu human rights will expand
upon the abuses and atrocities in these countries.
“We are pleased that the USCIRF is
bringing the suffering of Hindus to the attention of the US
government,” said Prof. Ramesh Rao, member of the HAF
Executive Council. “Hindus face a host of discriminatory
laws in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and are continually victimized
by Pakistani-supported terrorists in India’s state of
Jammu and Kashmir.”
HAF commended the Commission’s strong
disapproval of violations against minorities in Pakistan.
The USCIRF reported on the continuous ideological training
of madrassas, Hudood Ordinances that exacts harsh punishments
for women and non-Muslims, and false blasphemy allegations
against Hindus. Still, HAF members were disappointed that
the Commission’s report overlooked the sharp increase
in reports of kidnappings of Hindu girls who are subsequently
forced to marry Muslim men and convert to Islam.
“Given the continued discrimination
and violence against the Hindu minority population in Pakistan,
HAF completely agrees with the USCIRF’s decision to
designate Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern. We
hope that the U.S. State Department will follow suit and draw
further attention to atrocities occurring in Pakistan,”
said Dr. Rao.
With almost 500 attacks against Bangladesh’s
Hindus documented in HAF’s forthcoming report, the foundation
strongly believed that Bangladesh should have been included
as a CPC. The Commission, which traveled to Bangladesh in
March of 2006, was concerned by an increase of religious extremism
fueling attacks against minorities, particularly Ahmadis,
Hindus, and Christians.
“Hindus face a litany of daily abuses
in Bangladesh ranging from temple attacks to kidnappings to
land eviction. These crimes are largely unaddressed by the
police and warrant Bangladesh’s designation as a CPC.”
said Aseem Shukla, M.D., member of the HAF Board of Directors.
HAF’s upcoming second annual survey
of Hindu human rights will detail the mistreatment of Hindus
in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, the Indian State of Jammu
and Kashmir, and Pakistan during the 2005 calendar year. In
addition, this year’s report includes specific violations
of Constitutions and United Nations Covenants, which these
countries are expected to honor.
The Hindu American Foundation is a non-profit
501(c)(3), non-partisan organization, promoting the Hindu
and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.
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