Frank Pallone: “I just find it so sad to listen to my colleagues in support of this Burton amendment spread inaccurate information about…”

“I just find it so sad to listen to my colleagues in support of this Burton amendment spread inaccurate information about India which has tried so hard to deal effectively with human rights problems within the country. The true human rights problem in Kashmir is that of a violent separatist movement supported by outsiders, supported by Pakistan, carried out by the followers of bin Laden and other extremist terrorist leaders destroying the homes and lives of thousands of peace-loving Hindus and Muslims. In Kashmir, and Kashmir is part of India, the Indian security forces are trying to maintain order and protect all the citizens of Kashmir, Muslims and Hindu alike, just like we would do in any State of the United States. I heard mention of Punjab. In Punjab, there is a Sikh government elected by the Sikhs themselves which has been in place for over 2 rac{1}{2} ext{ years. Mr. Chairman, I heard mention of Dalits. The President of India is a Dalit, an untouchable. The President of India. The Indian Constitution specifically provides that the caste system is outlawed and not recognized in that state. We have a national human rights commission in India that has been lauded by the State Department and other international agencies for going after human rights violations, bringing people to justice, jailing people who committed those kinds of violations.”