HUMAN RIGHTS
American Federation of Muslims from India: Sixth Annual Convention, New York, NJ, Statement, 6 October, 1996
The Convention applauds and supports the decision of Deve Gowda's Government to give representation to minorities in public sector and social institutions.
Demands that the TADA cases should be expedited, the guilty be punished and the innocent be released.
Hopes that the new government (in J&K) would adopt measures that would (restore) the confidence of the Kashmir people in democracy and justice (and) urges the Government of India to compensate (the Kashmiris) for the loss of life and property (in) the violations of human rights. Supports the Government of India on taking a principled stand on CTBT and believes that the weapons of mass destruction could be eliminated once and for all.
Urges Indian and foreign companies to ensure that the economic benefits reach all levels of Indians society without eroding social values. (Suggest that) additional funds be allocated to finance projects that would help the underprivileged sections of the Indian society.
Supports the decision by the Government of India .reserving 30 per cent position in government and other political institutions for women. Believes that through empowering women through education, the existing social and cultural anomalies can be overcome.
Views with concern the efforts to impose a unified civil code on Indian society. Urges the government to leave. Muslim Personal Law to Muslim scholars, intellectual and leaders.
Urges the government to promote Urdu as a national language.
Urges the government to protect minority institutions (established under) Article 30 of the Constitution. Views with great dismay the recent talks between the Prime Minister and Bal Thackeray as such meetings give legitimacy to forces of evil and encourages nefarious tendencies to take roots in society.
(Condemns) recent killing of Muslim Indians in Lucknow and other Indians in the name of caste and demands prosecution of evil forces responsible for such hateful acts.
