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Canadian Court issues summons for Prime Minister Modi; Attorney General blocks it
AJC welcomes recognition of prima facie evidence to prosecute Modi
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2014
The
American Justice Center, an organization established to bring to
justice perpetrators of mass violence and genocides, today welcomed a
Canadian Court's summons to
visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi under Section 269.1 of the
Canadian Criminal Code, although the summons was immediately blocked by the Attorney General. The lawsuit
filed by two survivors of the Gujarat 2002 pogroms under the aegis of a
group known as Sikhs For Justice, sought prosecution of Mr. Modi for
acts of human rights violations and assaults on religious freedom during
the horrific massacres of 2002. After a seven-hour pre-enquete hearing
to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to issue process; the
Justice of the Peace decided that process be issued. In other words, a
court of law has finally recognized there is sufficient evidence of Mr.
Narendra Modi's involvement in the massacre of Muslims in 2002, for Mr.
Modi to be brought to trial.
The Gujarat pogrom
claimed the lives of over 2,000 people and displaced 150,000. Hundreds
of women were raped by rampaging mobs, and were subsequently burned
alive. Coming after similar cases against Mr. Modi in US and Australia,
the case in Canada widens the legal troubles following Mr. Modi during
several foreign trips. Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has offices in Toronto
and New York, had earlier represented US-based American Justice Center
(AJC) when the latter sought Mr. Modi's prosecution under the Tort
Claims Act (ATCA), during his much publicized US visit. The Canadian
case is being pursued independently by SFJ.
Representing
SFJ, Toronto-based veteran constitutional and human rights lawyer Ms.
Marlys Edwardh and her associate Louis Century called on Justice
Minister Peter MacKay to charge Mr. Modi for torture and genocide in
connection with the horrific anti-Muslim pogroms of 2002 in Gujarat,
during his tenure as Chief Minister of that state.
"The
summons issued by the Ontario Court of Justice, albeit blocked by the
Attorney General, is a recognition of the voluminous evidence available
to initiate prosecution of Mr. Narendra Modi, " said AJC President, Mr.
Joseph Whittington, Jr., who is the 2nd Ward Alderman of Harvey,
Illinois. "Had the summons been allowed to be served, we strongly
believe the case would have ultimately served justice to those who have
been denied justice since the pogroms of 2002," added Mr. Whittington.
The
Gujarat pogrom of 2002 was one of the worst episodes of sectarian
violence in independent India, and was marked with horrific crimes
against humanity, including the rape of over 800 women. Many of the
victims were subsequently burned alive. Although the Special
Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the mass violence did not
prosecute Mr. Modi, an amicus curiae appointed by the Supreme Court had
recommended Mr. Modi's prosecution. A case filed by Mrs. Zakia Jafri,
widow of slain Parliamentarian Ehsan Jafri, is pending against Mr. Modi
in the Gujarat High Court.
The
American Justice Center (AJC) is a human rights organization dedicated
to holding human rights abusers and perpetrators of mass violence
accountable. AJC provides legal aid and support for international
judicial redress to victims deprived of legitimate and legal means to
justice.
REFERENCES:
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CONTACT:
American Justice Center
54-14 74th street Elmhurst, NY 11373 Phone/Fax Number: +1 (800)-976-9428
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