Sikh Council disappointed over rejection of Hate Crime Bill

Press Trust of India
(Hindustan Times)
Washington, October 9

The Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) has expressed
disappointment over the rejection of the Hate Crime Bill in the
US Congress.

"Passing this legislation was an opportunity that was lost, to
send a clear and strong message that America and its people will
not tolerate any hate crime," National Chairman of SCORE,
Rajwant Singh, said.

"America is a country with people diverse cultural, social and
religious beliefs as its citizens. Hate and violence has no
place in American society based on democratic values," he said.

On October 7, the House of Republican Negotiators rejected the
Senate-approved proposal to strengthen the hate crime law of the
nation.

The initiative to strengthen and broaden the scope of the Hate
Crime Bill was seen as an important step towards protecting the
victims of hate crime.

The hate crime bill called Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act
(LLEEA) proposed to bring about changes in existing provisions
to expand the protection to all victims of hate crime including
gay and lesbians and financial support for state and local
investigations and prosecutions of hate crimes.

Senators Edward M Kennedy and Gordan Smith co-sponsored this
bill.

© HT Media Ltd. 2004.