US
lawmakers seek US visa ban for Narendra Modi
Tuesday December 04, 2012 10:25:23 PM,
IANS
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Washington: Ahead of
the Gujarat elections, a bipartisan group of 25 lawmakers and the
Coalition Against Genocide have called for a continued visa ban
for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his role in the 2002
Gujarat riots.
The group, led by Republican House of Representatives members Joe
Pitts and Frank Wolf, is holding a press conference Tuesday
afternoon at the House Triangle to make the call along with family
members of the victims saying he has not adequately pursued
justice for victims of the riots.
The lawmakers have also shot off a letter to Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton asking her to continue denying Modi a US visa
particularly since Modi is now eyeing the office of the prime
minister.
"As ... Justice has yet to be fully realised for the victims of
the riots, we ask that you continue to deny Mr Modi a visa," they
said in the letter released to the press Monday ahead of the
Gujarat polls Dec 13 and 17.
As Modi "continues to pursue a potential run for higher office, we
believe a change in policy to his request for a visa will only
embolden Modi and his government's efforts to obstruct further
investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice," they said in
the Nov 29 letter.
Noting that India is a thriving democracy, and one that is
aspiring to a high standard of leadership and progress, they said:
"It is disturbing that certain parties in India are considering
elevating Modi, despite his tie to these attacks."
"Allowing him to enter the United States will only serve to
abdicate his responsibility for the 2002 human rights abuses," it
said.
Observing that the Bush Administration "rightly denied" Modi a
visa, the lawmakers said as he is currently seeking support for a
possible bid for the office of prime minister they expected that
he may again request entry into the US.
"We respectfully request that the US government deny Mr Modi entry
due to numerous reports of his involvement in horrific human
rights violations in India," they said.
The lawmakers noted the State Department has stated that the
Gujarat government has not adequately pursued justice for the
victims of the 2002 riots.
(Arun Kumar can
be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)
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