ID :
68027
Sat, 06/27/2009 - 18:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/68027
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`Aus exploring ways to enhance punishment for racial attacks`
New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) With incidents of racial attacks
on Indian students going on unabated, the Centre on Friday
told the Supreme Court that the Australian government was
exploring the possibility of amending its existing laws to
enhance punishment for racism-related offences.
"The proposed amendments (by Australia) would strengthen
the police response to attacks against Indian students. It has
also been contemplated to amend the existing legislation to
provide for enhanced sentence for racism-related offences,"
the Ministry of External Affairs said accepting the
"seriousness" of the situation.
Rejecting allegations that Government has been "mute and
helpless spectator" to the incidents of racial attacks in
Australia, the Ministry said "the Centre has been extremely
concerned about the welfare and safety of the Indian students
studying in Australia and has spared no effort in making sure
that these students are adequately and properly protected and
looked after".
The Centre was responding to the notice issued by the
apex court for explaining the steps taken to ensure safety of
Indian students facing racial attacks in Australia.
It said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself had taken
up the matter with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd on
May 29 and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had also
intervened on the issue.
"In all these conversations, the Australian leaders have
shared the concern expressed and given their firm commitment
to take immediate steps to tackle the problem," the Ministry's
affidavit to the apex court said.
It said the Indian High Commissioner in Canberra and
Consulates General in Sydney and Melbourne are in touch not
only with the Australian authorities but also with Indian
students and their community.
The Centre said a task force has been constituted by
Australian authorities to coordinate with various states in
that country to address the issue of racial attacks.
It said several other steps at the instance of India has
also been taken by the Australian authorities which include
provision of a 24-hour hotline in both Hindi and English by
Community Reference Group to provide support, information and
advice to Indian students who are victims of crime.
The affidavit said at the instance of the Indian
government, police operations have been specifically launched
to investigate the attacks and emphasis has been laid on more
police presence in sensitive areas like railway stations.
The matter is posted for hearing on June 29 and a vacation
Bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Asok Kumar Ganguly has
asked the Attorney General G E Vahanvati to assist the court.
The Bench had on June 22 said the direction was being
passed since the incidents had not stopped though "the Union
of India might have taken up the matter at the highest level".
The PIL filed by advocate Ranveer Yadav had accused the
Centre of inaction in dealing with the attacks on Indian
students in Australia and Canada. PTI
on Indian students going on unabated, the Centre on Friday
told the Supreme Court that the Australian government was
exploring the possibility of amending its existing laws to
enhance punishment for racism-related offences.
"The proposed amendments (by Australia) would strengthen
the police response to attacks against Indian students. It has
also been contemplated to amend the existing legislation to
provide for enhanced sentence for racism-related offences,"
the Ministry of External Affairs said accepting the
"seriousness" of the situation.
Rejecting allegations that Government has been "mute and
helpless spectator" to the incidents of racial attacks in
Australia, the Ministry said "the Centre has been extremely
concerned about the welfare and safety of the Indian students
studying in Australia and has spared no effort in making sure
that these students are adequately and properly protected and
looked after".
The Centre was responding to the notice issued by the
apex court for explaining the steps taken to ensure safety of
Indian students facing racial attacks in Australia.
It said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself had taken
up the matter with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd on
May 29 and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had also
intervened on the issue.
"In all these conversations, the Australian leaders have
shared the concern expressed and given their firm commitment
to take immediate steps to tackle the problem," the Ministry's
affidavit to the apex court said.
It said the Indian High Commissioner in Canberra and
Consulates General in Sydney and Melbourne are in touch not
only with the Australian authorities but also with Indian
students and their community.
The Centre said a task force has been constituted by
Australian authorities to coordinate with various states in
that country to address the issue of racial attacks.
It said several other steps at the instance of India has
also been taken by the Australian authorities which include
provision of a 24-hour hotline in both Hindi and English by
Community Reference Group to provide support, information and
advice to Indian students who are victims of crime.
The affidavit said at the instance of the Indian
government, police operations have been specifically launched
to investigate the attacks and emphasis has been laid on more
police presence in sensitive areas like railway stations.
The matter is posted for hearing on June 29 and a vacation
Bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Asok Kumar Ganguly has
asked the Attorney General G E Vahanvati to assist the court.
The Bench had on June 22 said the direction was being
passed since the incidents had not stopped though "the Union
of India might have taken up the matter at the highest level".
The PIL filed by advocate Ranveer Yadav had accused the
Centre of inaction in dealing with the attacks on Indian
students in Australia and Canada. PTI
