NEW YORK, July 18: As Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met US President George Bush on Monday, the Human Rights Watch, through a letter, reminded the Indian leader about the continued human rights violations in the Kashmir region, as well as in other parts of India. In the letter the HRW said that India’s human rights record, both at home and in international affairs, would be a significant factor in India’s suitability for a seat in the UN Security Council and said that to promote India’s image abroad and to seek a greater role for India on the world stage, “this is an opportunity for your government to demonstrate to the world that it takes its human rights obligations seriously.”

It said that despite the peace process between India and Pakistan “serious violations of human rights have remained a constant feature in Kashmir over the last decade. Gunmen who have targeted civilians should be brought to trial.”

“At the same time, your government should investigate credible reports of Indian security agencies involved in torture, arbitrary detention and summary executions. Some 3,000 people are still missing in Kashmir after they were detained by security forces. We urge you to ensure that security agencies respect human rights law in Kashmir, and punish those found guilty of violations,” the executive Director of HRW Bard Adams wrote.

Calling for accountability for those responsible for the mass killings in Gujarat, Punjab and Bombay the HRW urged the Indian leader “to do everything in your power to end impunity for past campaigns of violence against minorities, prosecute and punish those responsible for criminal offences during the anti-Sikh violence in 1984, the post-Ayodhya violence in December 1992 and January 1993, and the attacks in Gujarat in 2002. “

The HRW pointed out that in Punjab in the 1980s, hundreds of people were illegally detained and executed by security agencies to end the secessionist conflict. It noted that those responsible had still not been punished despite recommendations from the Supreme Court and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate serious and credible allegations of extrajudicial executions.

“The recommendations of the Srikrishna Commission on the post-Ayodhya violence in Bombay should also be implemented without delay. Your party as the opposition took positive action to support the rights of those killed or injured in the 2002 riots in Gujarat. However, there continues to be inordinate delays in the investigation of cases to bring those responsible to trial and those pursuing justice need continued protection.

“In all these cases, we urge you to appoint independent investigators who will examine all the cases and bring those responsible to trial. Police officers and officials responsible for the excessive use of force should be prosecuted; those with the power and duty to stop the violence but who stood by and allowed the violence to take place should be punished. Your government should also vigorously pursue those officials responsible for the planning and implementation of the violence in each of these cases,” HRW said.