Australia on Friday said it was determined to find and punish those involved in assaults against Indians but insisted it would be wrong to jump to conclusions about the motive of an attack before the police had completed their investigation.
Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese came out with a statement amid reports of another attack – against an Indian cab driver – and strong words of concern by Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur.
Varghese said 34 people had been arrested in Victoria province alone in cases involving Indians.
He didn’t specify the period during when the arrests took place but there has been a spurt in attacks against Indians since last May and the first fatalities taken place this month, straining bilateral relations.
“It is important not to jump to conclusions about the motives of an attack, or to take initial media reports as fact,” he said. Australia has been insisting that not all attacks are racially-motivated.
Varghese said claims that the burnt body of Ranjodh Singh found in Griffith on December 29 was a racial attack should be treated with caution. Two Indians had in fact been detained by police in that case.
“Similarly, it is far from certain that the reported burning of Jaspreet Singh in Melbourne on January 9 was an attack,’’ he said.
“In all these cases, it is important to let the investigation establish the facts and then allow the criminal justice system to reach a view on the motives and the appropriate punishment,’’ he said.
He said stiff sentences had already been delivered in some cases. Three men found guilty of attacking Indianborn doctor Mukesh Haikerwal were sentenced in November to jail terms ranging between nine and eighteen and a half years.
The police were investigating the death of Nitin Garg in Melbourne on January 2 as a matter of highest priority and have asked any witnesses to come forward, he said. Investigations were on to identify the culprits in the recent Melbourne gurdwara fire.
On January 15 , an Australian court delivered a verdict - within 24 hours - after an Indian taxi driver was attacked in Victoria, sentencing the assailant to three months in jail, the High Commissioner said.
“The speedy justice provided in this case shows the Australian government’s seriousness in ensuring that high levels of safety and security for all are maintained,’’ he said.
While delivering the verdict, Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said she must consider ‘general deterrence,’ Varghese recalled.
Source : http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Australia+assures+prompt+action&artid=XYfhmbQ66xs=&SectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SEO=Australian+High+Commissioner+Peter+Varghese,Minist&SectionName=pWehHe7IsSU=
Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese came out with a statement amid reports of another attack – against an Indian cab driver – and strong words of concern by Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur.
Varghese said 34 people had been arrested in Victoria province alone in cases involving Indians.
He didn’t specify the period during when the arrests took place but there has been a spurt in attacks against Indians since last May and the first fatalities taken place this month, straining bilateral relations.
“It is important not to jump to conclusions about the motives of an attack, or to take initial media reports as fact,” he said. Australia has been insisting that not all attacks are racially-motivated.
Varghese said claims that the burnt body of Ranjodh Singh found in Griffith on December 29 was a racial attack should be treated with caution. Two Indians had in fact been detained by police in that case.
“Similarly, it is far from certain that the reported burning of Jaspreet Singh in Melbourne on January 9 was an attack,’’ he said.
“In all these cases, it is important to let the investigation establish the facts and then allow the criminal justice system to reach a view on the motives and the appropriate punishment,’’ he said.
He said stiff sentences had already been delivered in some cases. Three men found guilty of attacking Indianborn doctor Mukesh Haikerwal were sentenced in November to jail terms ranging between nine and eighteen and a half years.
The police were investigating the death of Nitin Garg in Melbourne on January 2 as a matter of highest priority and have asked any witnesses to come forward, he said. Investigations were on to identify the culprits in the recent Melbourne gurdwara fire.
On January 15 , an Australian court delivered a verdict - within 24 hours - after an Indian taxi driver was attacked in Victoria, sentencing the assailant to three months in jail, the High Commissioner said.
“The speedy justice provided in this case shows the Australian government’s seriousness in ensuring that high levels of safety and security for all are maintained,’’ he said.
While delivering the verdict, Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said she must consider ‘general deterrence,’ Varghese recalled.
Source : http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Australia+assures+prompt+action&artid=XYfhmbQ66xs=&SectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SEO=Australian+High+Commissioner+Peter+Varghese,Minist&SectionName=pWehHe7IsSU=
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