PM and MPs speak out against Kazakh harassment

Prime Minister Tony Blair raised the subject of harassment of Kazakh Hindus with the President of Kazakhstan in a meeting at Downing Street today even as 60 riot police and bull dozers assembled inside a Hindu temple in Kazakhstan and demolished five Hindu houses.

The Kazakh Government is planning to bulldoze a Hindu temple tomorrow in the Karasai District as British Parliamentarians led by Ashok Kumar MP launched a campaign to save Kazakh Hindus and tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons which said:

"This House, prior to the visit of the President of Kazakhstan, condemns the harassment of and discrimination against Hindu minorities in Kazakhstan; notes that Hindus in the Karasai district have had land, barns and cows confiscated, have been threatened with demolition of their houses, and denied the right to own land; further notes that Kazakh Hindus who applied for ownership of their houses were asked to declare that they were not Hindus, while non-Hindus who made similar applications were immediately granted ownership rights; acknowledges that the Supreme Court reviewed two cases regarding Hindu cottages and
ruled against the Hindus without inviting the plaintiffs to the hearings."

Forum 18, a human rights website has linked the Kazakh President's brother to the demolition and land-grab attempt suggesting that the value of the land could be the reason why Hindus are being harassed and subject to human rights violations.

"The human rights violation against Kazakh Hindus has caused worldwide condemnation," said Sudarshan Bhatia, President of the National Council of Hindu Temples UK, who is leading the Defend Kazakh Hindus Campaign

"We call upon the President to intervene to stop action to demolish houses belonging to the followers of Hinduism, facilitate legal registration of properties owned by Hindus, allow Hindus to occupy their homes and worship freely."

A demonstration is being planned outside the London Stock Exchange tomorrow where the President of Kazakhstan is expected to attend an event to list Kazakh shares.

"We ask for a complete review of decisions made against Hindus in the court call upon the President to order the Karasai District Hakimat to have all cases against the Kazakh Hindus withdrawn and basic human rights values restored," commented Ishwer Tailor, President, Hindu Forum of Britain.

British MPs from all parties have supported the campaign as have Hindu organisations from around the world.

For more information speak to Ramesh Kallidai on 07867837241 or 07915383103.

TREATMENT OF HINDUS IN KAZAKHSTAN
Early Day Motion passed through the British Parliament 
20.11.2006

That this House, prior to the visit of the President of Kazakhstan, condemns the harassment of and discrimination against Hindu minorities in Kazakhstan;

notes that Hindus in the Karasi district have had land, barns and cows confiscated, have been threatened with demolition of their houses, and denied the right to own land;

further notes that Kazakh Hindus who applied for ownership of their houses were asked to declare that they were not Hindus, while non-Hindus who made similar applications were immediately granted ownership rights;

acknowledges that the Supreme Court reviewed two cases regarding Hindu cottages and ruled against the Hindus without inviting the plaintiffs to the hearings;

recognises that the Kazakh Government announced a Commission into the issues of Kazakh Hindus; further notes that the Commission has no powers to reverse decisions of the Supreme Court;

calls for the President to intervene to stop action to demolish houses belonging to the followers of Hare Krishna, facilitate legal registration of properties owned by Hindus, allow Hindus to occupy their homes and worship freely, order the General Prosecutor's office to condemn the Supreme Court decisions as having been taken without legal representation of Kazakh Hindus and to review decisions made against Hindus in the court of second instance;
and further calls upon the President to order the Karasai District Hakimat to have all cases against the Kazakh Hindus withdrawn, clarify the role of the Commission which seems unable to make a fair and just inquiry and to stop harassment of Hindus in Kazakhstan.

Signatures( 3)

Kumar, Ashok

Hoyle, Lindsay

George, Andrew

11/21/06 6:00 PM