GOPIO APPEALS FOR REVIEW

GOPIO APPEALS FOR REVIEW OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SENTENCING ON HUMANTARIAN BASIS

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) strenuously objects to the recent judicial sentencing of 17 Indians in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and considers the sentencing as extreme and unusually harsh punishment contrary to Article 5 and Article 7 of the United Nations Human Rights Charter (United Nations “Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 1948). GOPIO voices its deep concern over the severity of the sentencing which is viewed as contrary to universally accepted norms of any progressive society.

GOPIO International urges the Government of United Arab Emirates to promptly take all necessary actions to remedy this situation for substantial reduction of the sentences imposed on the basis of humanitarian consideration and to facilitate and accommodate all legal efforts by others to seek redress in the courts and appropriate agencies of the United Arab Emirates.

GOPIO International urges the Government of India to continue vigilant efforts and seek all means necessary towards reduced sentencing on behalf of those Indians being punished with this unusually harsh sentencing and to provide confidence and reassurance to their respective families in India.

GOPIO International solicits the assistance and cooperation of the United Nations (UN) and international agencies of Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) to use their respective international positions and offices of influence to be engaged in efforts to seek substantial reduction in the unusually extreme sentencing imposed on the 17 Indians in the United Arab Emirates.

“We view the sentencing imposed on the 17 Indians in United Arab Emirates as extremely harsh and call on the Government of UAE to take all necessary steps to bring about an equitable reduction as soon as possible”, said Lord Diljit Rana, President of GOPIO International.

“Remedial actions by the government of United Arab Emirates would be tremendously helpful to reducing the undue pain and distress of those sentenced and their respective families in India”, stated Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO International.

GOPIO Middle East International Coordinator Sunny Kulathakal observes that “it is crucial that the legal appeal process lead to reduced sentencing that would further enhance peaceful co-existence among all ethnic groups in the United Arab Emirates”.

GOPIO International’s Executive Vice President General Ashook Ramsaran requests that “due consideration must be given to the fact that Indians working and living in the United Arab Emirates are generally a peaceful, law abiding ethnic group and have contributed tremendously to the economic development of the UAE”.

GOPIO International fully supports and encourages all efforts for fair and equitable treatment of all citizens, visitors and workers in any country, especially a country with a significant population of people of Indian origin. GOPIO International urges the Government of United Arab Emirates to promptly take all necessary actions to remedy this situation so that the rights of everyone in United Arab Emirates can be guaranteed and protected on an equitable and humanitarian basis. We also urge the people of United Arab Emirates to voice their collective concerns and objections to actions that can adversely affect their entire society.

GOPIO is a non-partisan, non-sectarian global organization with chapters in several countries, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin worldwide by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in various countries.

Reference:

United Nations “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, December 10, 1948

Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 7. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

For more information, please contact Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO International at +1-818-708-3885, Email: GOPIO-Intl@sbcglobal.net