Lib Dems challenge Sikh 'terrorism' claim

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Jul 2001

Lib Dems from Feltham and Heston joined Sikhs from across the country at a lobby of the House of Commons in support of a banned youth group.

Lib Dems from Feltham and Heston joined Sikhs from across the country at a lobby of the House of Commons in support of a banned youth group.

The lobby, held on July 9th, was organised to support a legal application to remove the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) from list of organisations proscribed by the Home Secretary under the terrorism act in February this year.

Feltham and Heston Parliamentary Spokesperson Andy Darley and Heston Lib Dem Harjinder Singh attended the lobby and also arranged for delegates to meet two senior Liberal Democrats, Twickenham MP Vince Cable and party president Lord Dholakia, to explain their concerns.

Andy Darley said:

"There are clear indications that inaccurate or misleading evidence was responsible for the ban on the ISYF, and there is a strong case for the decision to be reconsidered.

"The Sikh community has responded to this serious - and unexpected - blow with a measured and responsible campaign that deserves to be listened to."

Harjinder Singh said the lobby was a success:

"There were a good number of Sikhs from different parts of the country. Dabinderjit Singh, the main Sikh spokesman, presented the main issue, the banning of the International Sikh Youth Federation by Jack Straw, in a very well informed and businesslike manner.

"From the Lib Dem point of view we made the point that Lib Dems do care about the human rights of people of ethnic or religious groups living in the UK."

Ends

Notes to editors:

• The ISYF was founded in September 1984 with the following objectives:

1. Promote Sikh philosophy and the Sikh way of life.

2. Promote and preserve the Sikh heritage and culture.

3. To speak out against Human Rights violations.

4. To act as a voice of oppressed Sikhs of India.

5. To peacefully work towards establishing an independent Sikh homeland

• Since it was proscribed a lobbying campaign has taken place to reverse the decision, and approximately 100 MPs have raised concerns with the government.