To,
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India,
Prime Minister's Office, South Block,
Raisina Hill, New Delhi, 110011, India
Fax : (+) 91 -11- 2301 9545/23016857
Email : manmohan@alpha.nic.in/pmosb@pmo.nic.in

Honourable Prime Minister,

Protection of the Rights of the Christian Minorities in Orissa

We write with deep concern over the communal violence that engulfed the district of Khandhamal in Orissa since the eve of Christmas. The violence has led to the death of persons; injury to many and thousands of people have been rendered homeless and penniless. Many houses have been torched and looted. Hundreds of people have fled to the woods. The victims of this violence have been Christians. The timing of the attack and the way it has been carried out reveal that there is a dangerous attempt by some forces to eliminate Christians and to annihilate Christianity.

The State has failed in its duty to protect the rights of Christians - to protection of life and personal liberty and to freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion the very rights enshrined in the Constitution of the country (Articles 21 & 25) and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR Articles 18 & 27) to which the Government of India is a party.

In this context, we appeal to you, Sir, to initiate suitable measures so as to:

Protect the rights and the lives and the properties of Christians in Orissa

Provide immediate relief and adequate compensation to the victims as per ICCPR Article 2.3.1

Ensure peace and harmony in the State so that people may live without fear and freely practise their faith.


Thanking you,