Press Release – September 28, 2009

Universal Respect for Human Rights without Borders

Petitions the Government of Oman

 His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and Omani Citizens,

India and Oman have centuries-old cherished relationship of friendship and trade. It has been strengthened under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, based on common ethos of progressive values and human rights. Thousands of Indians of all religions live and work in Oman with honor and respect, contributing to the benefit of both the countries.

Unfortunately that common ethos and values of the Indian constitution and Oman’s culture have been flagrantly violated by Mr. Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat. In February 2002, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Modi presided over and orchestrated widespread riots in which about 2000 hapless Muslims were massacred and more than 200,000 were rendered homeless. The execution of what has been called the Gujarat Genocide has been widely reported and documented by the media (http://www.tehelka.com/home/20071103/ ; http://bit.ly/qR7fO ; http://bit.ly/qOdTB)  

Tens of thousands of displaced Muslims are still unable to return to their homes fearing further attacks. The process of justice has been subverted to deny justice to the victims. There have been many incidences of harassment of Christians and burning of Churches. 

Mr. Modi and 61 others that include cabinet colleagues, policemen and civil servants currently are under criminal investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) specially constituted by the Supreme Court of India for their role into allegations of mass murder and criminal conspiracy.

 Earlier this year, fDi (Foreign Direct Investment) Magazine, of the Financial Times Group, declared Narendra Modi “Asian Personality of the Year 2009”. But after reviewing charges against Mr. Modi, the magazine withdrew the award (http://bit.ly/2yt3Cr) 

It has been reported in the press (http://bit.ly/MzAwP) that Mr. Modi has managed to obtain an invitation to Oman to finance the development of a port in Gujarat. The US and many European countries have already denied entry visa to Mr. Modi in punishment for his role in the Gujarat carnage. Mr. Modi is trying to rehabilitate himself in the international-arena by his visit to Oman. In the process the reputation of Oman would be besmirched. 

People from all over the world have joined thousands of citizens of India, and brave people of Gujarat, to petition the Government of Oman, through its ambassador to India, to deny Mr. Modi the coveted visa to Oman, based on his record of murder and mayhem.

(http://www.petitiononline.com/modi2009/petition.html) 

 We request the genteel, peace and justice loving people of Oman, and the enlightened government of Sultan Qaboos to rescind visa to Mr. Modi and make investments and collaborations with the Gujarat government contingent on justice to the innocent victims of the Gujarat Massacre. This will reaffirm the morality-based friendship of Oman and India, without the stain of appearing to condone Mr. Modi’s crimes against humanity.

 

Universal Respect For Human Rights Without Borders [email protected]

 Najid Hussain:                        [email protected]  

Mirza A. Beg:                         [email protected] 

Zafar Iqbal:                             [email protected] 

Tariq Farooqi:                          [email protected]  

Fazal R. Khan:                        [email protected]  

 

Endorsing Organizations:

Ahsan Jafri Foundation                                              
Dr. Najid Hussain

Aligarh Alumni Association Metropolitan Washington (AAA) 
Dr. Rafat Husain

Aman Biraderi                                                        
Mr. Harsh Mandar

Association for India’s Development (AID)                 
Dr. Mohan Bhagat

Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace              
Fr. Cedrick Prakash

CERAS                                                                  
Dr. Daya Varma

Coalition Against Genocide                                      
Mr. Khalid Azam

India Unity                                                       
Dr. Satinath Chowdhary

NRIs for Secular and Harmonious India (NRI-SAHI)             

Pluralism, Interfaith, Peace                                                     
Mr. Mike Ghouse

Sabrang
Ms. Teesta Setalvad

Sadbhav Mission                                                                    
Dr. Vipin Tripathi

South Asia Citizens Web (SACW)                                          
Mr. Harsh Kapoor

The Organization of Universal Communal Harmony (TOUCH)                      Ms. Sushila Gidwani

Vaishnava Center for Enlightenment                                                      Mr. Shrikumar Poddar