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“Justice will have failed unless the officials involved in such violations are vigorously and transparently prosecuted in a clear message that India does not tolerate human rights violations or excuse [them] because the perpetrators claim to be patriotic enough to break the law for national security.”
— Brad Adams, Dead End in Punjab
Ensaaf pursues justice for survivors of human rights abuses in Punjab. Ensaaf’s legal cases aim to hold accountable the primary architects of mass state crimes in Punjab and set precedent in India on the law of superior responsibility and reparations.
Project Hightlights
Murder of Human Rights Defender Jaswant Singh Khalra: Over twelve years ago, members of the Punjab police operating under KPS Gill abducted, tortured, and murdered Khalra because of his courageous work in exposing the disappearances, custodial deaths, and secret cremations of thousands of Sikhs in Punjab. In Fall 2005, Ensaaf provided litigation support in Khalra’s murder trial, leading to convictions of six mid-level officers. On May 1, 2006, Ensaaf, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Redress and the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice issued a joint letter calling for the prosecution of former police chief Gill for his role in Khalra’s torture and murder. On September 6, 2006, Khalra’s widow Paramjit Kaur filed a legal petition calling for Gill’s investigation and prosecution. Ensaaf drafted the petition's international law arguments on the doctrine of superior responsibility. (The next hearing is scheduled for May 13, 2008.) On October 8, 2007, the High Court upheld the convictions of five officers for Khalra's abduction and murder, and acquitted one officer; further, on October 16, the High Court enhanced the sentences so that all five convicted officers received life imprisonment. On October 18, 2007, Ensaaf and HRW released a joint report on impunity in Punjab, that discusses the Khalra case in extensive detail. Visit Ensaaf's page on Jaswant Singh Khalra for links to video footage, judgments, and related documents.
Punjab Mass Cremations Case: Ensaaf works in partnership with the petitioner Committee for Information and Initiative on Punjab to litigate and organize advocacy around the Punjab mass cremations case, which will set precedent on the redress of mass state crimes in India. Read Ensaaf's summary report on the case: India Burning the Rule of Law (pdf), as well as information on the proceedings before the Bhalla Commission of Inquiry. On October 24, 2005, PHR/Bellevue submitted their final report to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in this case, after conducting a torture and trauma study organized by Ensaaf. On November 1, 2005, HRW wrote to the NHRC urging it to order a full accounting of the systematic abuses that occurred in Punjab, determine liability after detailed investigations into the violations, and provide comprehensive compensation to surviving family members. On December 8, 2006, PHR/Bellevue responded to the NHRC order rejecting their report and attacking their credibility. On October 18, 2007, Ensaaf and HRW released a joint report, thoroughly discussing the mass cremations case. Read Ensaaf's op-ed in the Boston Globe, and the HRW/Ensaaf op-ed in The Asian Age.
Convention Against Torture: In November 2005, Ensaaf submitted an application for relief from extradition on behalf of Kulvir Singh Barapind to the US Secretary of State, under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). Barapind's CAT application presented overwhelming evidence that he would be tortured by Indian officials if he was surrendered to India. On December 27, 2005, the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHRGJ) called on the United States Secretary of State to withhold extradition of any person who is more likely than not to be subjected to torture upon return. The CHRGJ submitted an extensive amicus letter (PDF, 1.6 MB) in support of the legal position taken by Barapind regarding US obligations under international and domestic law. In January 2006, Ensaaf submitted a communication to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture regarding Barapind’s case, securing the Rapporteur’s intervention. Ensaaf also secured the involvement of Congressman Chris Smith and his Professional Staff Sheri Rickert at the House Subcommittee on Global Human Rights. Further, Ensaaf negotiated and obtained a commitment from the US government to monitor the treatment of Barapind and act on any information of abuse. On June 19, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the Indian government to ensure that its security forces did not torture or mistreat Barapind. Barapind was acquitted of all charges and released from detention in April 2008.
