07-01-2006, 06:43 PM
<b>Second Annual Report on Hindu Human Rights Released on Capitol Hill</b>
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 27, 2006) The Hindu American Foundation
(HAF) held a press conference today on Capitol Hill to release its
much anticipated second annual report on the status of human rights
of Hindus in South Asia, Afghanistan and Fiji. Representative Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), senior ranking member of the House International
Relations Committee, co-hosted the press conference held in the
Rayburn House Building. In her remarks, Ros-Lehtinen expressed
serious concern over the facts presented in the human rights report
and welcomed the document as a crucial resource.
Executive Director, Ishani Chowdhury presenting a copy of the Hindu
American Foundation's 2nd Annual Hindu Human Rights Report to
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehitnen (R-FL) at Capitol Hill. Also
present (L-R): Nikhil Joshi, Esq., Member of Board of Directors;
Rajit Das, Intern; and Dr. Aseem Shukla, Member of Board of
Directors.
"As an ardent human rights advocate in the United States Congress, I
will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that all are
afforded the protection they deserve," said Ros-Lehtinen during her
address. "Especially, Hindus who are persecuted by extremist groups."
A House resolution calling attention to human rights violations
against Hindus prompted by, among other things, the HAF report is
being prepared and the congresswoman is expected to deliver a
separate floor statement highlighting human rights violations that
are particularly severe in Bangladesh.
"The second annual report on Hindu human rights is an objective
compilation from reports by credible human rights groups of the
genocide, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, and discriminatory laws that
Hindus face everyday in parts of South Asia and beyond," said Ishani
Chowdhury, Executive Director of HAF. "This report documents a
humanitarian tragedy that fills an important void existing in reports
by both governments and other human rights organizations. "
The 105-page document is entitled "Hindus in South Asia & the
Diaspora: A Survey of Human Rights (2005)". The report has garnered a
broad array of endorsements from several members of Congress, various
academics and human rights and religious leaders of diverse faiths.
"By documenting human rights violations against Hindus in Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Fiji and the Indian state of Jammu and
Kashmir, the Hindu American Foundation continues to raise global
awareness of these abuses," said Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY),
as he joined Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Jim
Ramstad (R-MN) and many other members of the U.S. Congress whose
endorsements of the report continue to be received daily at HAF
offices in Washington, D.C.
The 2005 report individually documents over 500 incidents of murder,
arson, rape, desecration of temples, usurpation of property and other
forms of violence against Hindus over a single year in Bangladesh.
The report confirms a continuous rise in such attacks since the 2001
general election brought the Bangladesh National Party to power in
coalition with Islamist political organizations. In 2005, according
to the HAF report, Pakistan witnessed a spate of Hindu temple
destructions, kidnappings and forced conversions of Hindu girls.
Furthermore, the government of Pakistan continues a grim policy of
aiding and abetting Islamist organizations recognized as terrorist
groups by the U.S. State Department such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba.
HAF included Fiji in the 2005 report as part of its long-term goal of
highlighting human rights abuses against Hindus in the diaspora
beyond South Asia. Despite comprising 38% of the island nation's
population, Hindus and their religious institutions are routinely
attacked in Fiji. The heavily influential Methodist Church there has
called for conversions of Hindus and establishment of a Christian
state.
"Everyone who is concerned with obtaining the necessary human rights
and privileges for people of all religions should be indebted to the
Hindu American Foundation for bringing into the light the serious
discriminatory practices and unacceptable behavior which in any way
makes for insensitive treatment of Hindus and their faith," said
Ernest Weiner, Executive Director of the Northern California Region
of the American Jewish Committee.
After reviewing the report, Iftekhar Hai, President of United Muslims
of America Interfaith Alliance condemned extremist violence and
said, "It gives me great pain to note that extremist Muslims, a tiny
minority, are unleashing terror on our Hindu brothers and sisters."
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and co-founder of the Simon
Wiesenthal Center, a widely respected international human rights
organization, heaped similar praise on HAF. "The Simon Wiesenthal
Center welcomes this report which will help the international
community and Non-governmental Organizations to have a broader
understanding of the human rights situation in that important region
of the world."
Several academics on campuses around the U.S. also reviewed this
year's report. "This report by the Hindu American Foundation is a
real eye-opener," observed Professor Nathan Katz, Professor of
Religious Studies at Florida International University. "As a minority
in Islamic societies that consider them to be `idolaters,' Hindus in
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan face unimaginable persecution
routinely."
The HAF report was simultaneously released by Global Human Rights
Defence in the Hague, Netherlands, where that organization is
committed to spreading awareness about the contents of the report in
the European Union.
HAF leadership hoped that this year's report will again serve as a
credible source of information for governmental and human rights
organizations. The HAF report calls for concrete action by
responsible governments to end religious persecution. The foundation
plans to follow the report with coordinated activities to raise
awareness of Hindu human rights in Washington, D.C. and at
international venues throughout the year.
The report can be downloaded, viewed or purchased online at
http://www.hinduame ricanfoundation. org/reports. htm#hhr2005
<b>Related Images</b>
Executive Director, Ishani Chowdhury presenting a copy of the Hindu
American Foundation's 2nd Annual Hindu Human Rights Report to
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehitnen (R-FL) at Capitol Hill. Also
present (L-R): Nikhil Joshi, Esq., Member of Board of Directors;
Rajit Das, Intern; and Dr. Aseem Shukla, Member of Board of
Directors.
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) endorsing the Hindu American
Foundation's 2nd Annual Hindu Human Rights Report at the official
Press Conference at Capitol Hill.
(L-R) Ramesh Rao, PhD, Member of the HAF's Executive Council; Dr.
Aseem Shukla and Nikhil Joshi, Esq., Board of Directors Members; Art.
A. Estopiñán, Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-
FL) and Ishani Chowdhury, Executive Director for the Hindu American
Foundation.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 27, 2006) The Hindu American Foundation
(HAF) held a press conference today on Capitol Hill to release its
much anticipated second annual report on the status of human rights
of Hindus in South Asia, Afghanistan and Fiji. Representative Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), senior ranking member of the House International
Relations Committee, co-hosted the press conference held in the
Rayburn House Building. In her remarks, Ros-Lehtinen expressed
serious concern over the facts presented in the human rights report
and welcomed the document as a crucial resource.
Executive Director, Ishani Chowdhury presenting a copy of the Hindu
American Foundation's 2nd Annual Hindu Human Rights Report to
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehitnen (R-FL) at Capitol Hill. Also
present (L-R): Nikhil Joshi, Esq., Member of Board of Directors;
Rajit Das, Intern; and Dr. Aseem Shukla, Member of Board of
Directors.
"As an ardent human rights advocate in the United States Congress, I
will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that all are
afforded the protection they deserve," said Ros-Lehtinen during her
address. "Especially, Hindus who are persecuted by extremist groups."
A House resolution calling attention to human rights violations
against Hindus prompted by, among other things, the HAF report is
being prepared and the congresswoman is expected to deliver a
separate floor statement highlighting human rights violations that
are particularly severe in Bangladesh.
"The second annual report on Hindu human rights is an objective
compilation from reports by credible human rights groups of the
genocide, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, and discriminatory laws that
Hindus face everyday in parts of South Asia and beyond," said Ishani
Chowdhury, Executive Director of HAF. "This report documents a
humanitarian tragedy that fills an important void existing in reports
by both governments and other human rights organizations. "
The 105-page document is entitled "Hindus in South Asia & the
Diaspora: A Survey of Human Rights (2005)". The report has garnered a
broad array of endorsements from several members of Congress, various
academics and human rights and religious leaders of diverse faiths.
"By documenting human rights violations against Hindus in Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Fiji and the Indian state of Jammu and
Kashmir, the Hindu American Foundation continues to raise global
awareness of these abuses," said Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY),
as he joined Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Jim
Ramstad (R-MN) and many other members of the U.S. Congress whose
endorsements of the report continue to be received daily at HAF
offices in Washington, D.C.
The 2005 report individually documents over 500 incidents of murder,
arson, rape, desecration of temples, usurpation of property and other
forms of violence against Hindus over a single year in Bangladesh.
The report confirms a continuous rise in such attacks since the 2001
general election brought the Bangladesh National Party to power in
coalition with Islamist political organizations. In 2005, according
to the HAF report, Pakistan witnessed a spate of Hindu temple
destructions, kidnappings and forced conversions of Hindu girls.
Furthermore, the government of Pakistan continues a grim policy of
aiding and abetting Islamist organizations recognized as terrorist
groups by the U.S. State Department such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba.
HAF included Fiji in the 2005 report as part of its long-term goal of
highlighting human rights abuses against Hindus in the diaspora
beyond South Asia. Despite comprising 38% of the island nation's
population, Hindus and their religious institutions are routinely
attacked in Fiji. The heavily influential Methodist Church there has
called for conversions of Hindus and establishment of a Christian
state.
"Everyone who is concerned with obtaining the necessary human rights
and privileges for people of all religions should be indebted to the
Hindu American Foundation for bringing into the light the serious
discriminatory practices and unacceptable behavior which in any way
makes for insensitive treatment of Hindus and their faith," said
Ernest Weiner, Executive Director of the Northern California Region
of the American Jewish Committee.
After reviewing the report, Iftekhar Hai, President of United Muslims
of America Interfaith Alliance condemned extremist violence and
said, "It gives me great pain to note that extremist Muslims, a tiny
minority, are unleashing terror on our Hindu brothers and sisters."
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and co-founder of the Simon
Wiesenthal Center, a widely respected international human rights
organization, heaped similar praise on HAF. "The Simon Wiesenthal
Center welcomes this report which will help the international
community and Non-governmental Organizations to have a broader
understanding of the human rights situation in that important region
of the world."
Several academics on campuses around the U.S. also reviewed this
year's report. "This report by the Hindu American Foundation is a
real eye-opener," observed Professor Nathan Katz, Professor of
Religious Studies at Florida International University. "As a minority
in Islamic societies that consider them to be `idolaters,' Hindus in
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan face unimaginable persecution
routinely."
The HAF report was simultaneously released by Global Human Rights
Defence in the Hague, Netherlands, where that organization is
committed to spreading awareness about the contents of the report in
the European Union.
HAF leadership hoped that this year's report will again serve as a
credible source of information for governmental and human rights
organizations. The HAF report calls for concrete action by
responsible governments to end religious persecution. The foundation
plans to follow the report with coordinated activities to raise
awareness of Hindu human rights in Washington, D.C. and at
international venues throughout the year.
The report can be downloaded, viewed or purchased online at
http://www.hinduame ricanfoundation. org/reports. htm#hhr2005
<b>Related Images</b>
Executive Director, Ishani Chowdhury presenting a copy of the Hindu
American Foundation's 2nd Annual Hindu Human Rights Report to
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehitnen (R-FL) at Capitol Hill. Also
present (L-R): Nikhil Joshi, Esq., Member of Board of Directors;
Rajit Das, Intern; and Dr. Aseem Shukla, Member of Board of
Directors.
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) endorsing the Hindu American
Foundation's 2nd Annual Hindu Human Rights Report at the official
Press Conference at Capitol Hill.
(L-R) Ramesh Rao, PhD, Member of the HAF's Executive Council; Dr.
Aseem Shukla and Nikhil Joshi, Esq., Board of Directors Members; Art.
A. Estopiñán, Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-
FL) and Ishani Chowdhury, Executive Director for the Hindu American
Foundation.