SFJ & MMR lodged criminal complaint against Kamal Nath in Switzerland; Seek arrest warrants from Swiss Court

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Two-rights-groups-move-Swiss-authorities-against-Kamal-Naths-Davos-visit/articleshow/18095924.cms

Two Rights Groups Move Swiss Authorities Against Kamal Nath's Davos Visit

JALANDHAR: Ahead of Union urban development minister Kamal Nath's proposed trip to Switzerland for attending World Economic Forum annual meeting-2013 from January 23 to 27 in Davos, rights group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and a Swiss NGO, Movement Against Atrocities & Repression (MAR), have filed a preliminary indictment with attorney general of Switzerland, urging prosecution of Nath for his alleged role in genocide of Sikhs during November 1984. Nath will be heading the Indian delegation.

The 11-page criminal complaint filed with Michael Lauber, Swiss attorney general, is based on provisions of Swiss Penal Code which provide jurisdiction over genocide offenders and on ratification of UN Genocide Convention by Switzerland and India. "Under article 1 of the convention, Swiss authorities are under obligation to prosecute and punish individuals who participated in a genocide. Articles 6 and 264 of the Swiss Penal Code give jurisdiction to Swiss authorities over individuals who participated in genocide if they are present on Swiss soil,' said SFJ's legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Harminder Singh Khalsa, spokesman for MAR, said that a rally would held on January 26 in Davos to protest against Nath's presence in Switzerland.

In February 2011, Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), a human rights NGO, filed a similar complaint against former US President Geroge Bush for allowing torture of detainees. Bush cancelled his Geneva trip, said Pannun. The complaint against Nath is endorsed by All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) president Karnail Singh Peermohammad.