[sacw] sacw dispatch (30 June 00)

[aiindex@mnet.fr]

South Asia Citizens Web - Dispatch
30 June 2000
http://www.mnet.fr/aiindex

__________________________

#1. PAKISTAN: Arrest of Trade Union Activists
#2. BANGLADESH Urgent Action Needed!: Saftey of Rowshan Ara Begum & her fami=
ly.
#3. INDIA: Emergency, 25 years on.
#4. INDIA: Request for endorsement of memorandum concerning violence
against miniorities in India
#5. INDIA: Journalists, researchers sought by 'Public Press'
__________________________

#1.

... TRADE UNION ACTIVISTS ARRESTED IN PAKISTAN

8 Trade Unions activists at Dada Bhai Cement Factory Norrieabad,
district Dadu, Sind have been picked up by local police at 11pm on
28th June. Their crime was to organize a new union at the factory to
fight for workers right. They took a legal course to register the
union and applied with the National Industrial Relation Commission for
that. But after the initial threats and intimidations, now police have
been used to arrest the activists.

The arrested trade union activists include Mohammed Younas Rahoo, a
National Committee member of Labour Party Pakistan. The other 7 are
also members of LPP. The real nature of the charges has still to
emerge, as we do not have yet the access to First Investigation Report
(FIR) of Police.

Mohammed Younas Rahoo was elected in May 2000 as the new union
secretary by a meeting of workers attended by over 300. When the
administration of this profitable cement factory came to know about
the establishment of the new union, they came to Labour Party Sind
Office in Hyderabad and offer a bribe of half a million Rupees ($
10,000) to Younas Rahoo and others for not registering the union.
Despite a severe economic crisis of the party, Younas Rahoo, Aziz
Abbasi and other trade union activists refused to accept any bribe and
told them that they will go ahead with the process of union
registration.

There are already few trade unions registered in the factory but all
of them have become real collaborators of the bosses. All the efforts
to form a genuine union were blocked by the bosses. Then Watan Dost
Mazdoor Federation (WDMF) affiliate of Pakistan Workers Confederation
took up the task to register the union at the factory level. The
General Secretary of WDMF, Aziz Abbasi, a veteran workers leader and a
member National Committee of LPP, applied for the registration of the
union with the help of some 300 workers of the factory. This became
the real crime and police have arrested Younas Rahoo and other trade
union activists of the factory. There are reports that police is also
looking for Aziz Abbasi.

Meantime, the Chairman of LPP Dost Mohammed Channa, senior vice
chairmen of LPP Pakistan Makhdoom Rashid have warned the local
administration that workers of other factories will not keep quit on
this brutal attack on the fundamental right of workers to form the
union.

In another development, several close supporters of LPP in Railway
workshops at Lahore have been transferred to for off places from
Lahore as a punishment. They have gone to the Labour Court in Lahore
against the decision. Their crime was to organize mass movement of the
workers against the ban on overtime and peacework.

In Lahore, LPP General Secretary Farooq Tariq and Chairman Shoaib
Bhatti described the event as the real face of the present military
regime. It exposes the so-called liberal face of the regime. They said
in a press release that this is eight time, that the regime have
attacked LPP activists who are in the fore front of the fight for
democracy and socialism. LPP leaders said that the Railway workers
leaders in Rawalpindi were released on bail but they still have to
face the charges in the courts. LPP leaders told the regime that these
events would not stop the activists of LPP in their fight against the
capitalist system. They told that in one month alone, 16 activists and
leaders of LPP have been arrested and their real crime was to organize
the movements and unions to fight for workers rights.

We will send you more details tomorrow as we are now collecting the
address of the responsible administration and police officials to send
protest letters.

Report by Farooq Sulehria, member National Executive Committee Labour
Party Pakistan

_________

#2.

=46rom: INTERNET:smaldar@a..., INTERNET:smaldar@a...

Date: 28/06/00 15:40 PM

PUBLIC AI
Index: ASA 13/05/00

UA 173/00 FEAR FOR SAFETY
22 June 2000

BANGLADESH Rowshan Ara Begum, her daughter Shara, and her family

The Government of Bangladesh has not responded to Amnesty International's
concerns that it may have failed to ensure due process to Rowshan Ara Begum
who is seeking legal redress for rape.

Rowshan Ara, an elected member of the Union Parishad (local council), was
raped in her home by two men and three accomplices on 1 May 1999. The men
came to her house in the Kishorgonj District of Dhaka and demanded that she
sign a blank piece of paper. When she refused they beat her in front of her
13-year-old daughter, Shara. Shara was then locked out of the house while
two of the men raped her mother.

The five accused were subsequently arrested, but three were released on
bail. Since their release, the men have threatened Rowshan Ara, her
children and lawyers. One of the prosecution witnesses has already failed
to appear in the trial for fear of reprisal.

The Government of Bangladesh has not taken effective action to end threats,
including kidnapping threats, to the victim, her lawyers or the prosecution
witnesses, to ensure their safety and to punish those issuing the threats.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Before she was raped, Rowshan Ara faced continuos discrimination from
within the Union Parishad because of her gender and poor background. Her
determined efforts to stop the misappropriation of funds by council
officials and to ensure money was used to alleviate poverty in the
constituency were repeatedly blocked by male members of the council. The
accused were reportedly involved ? with the knowledge of the council
chairman ? in selling healthcare supplies and wheat intended for the
community to private dealers.

=46ollowing the adoption of new laws in Bangladesh providing greater
opportunities for women to stand as candidates in local elections, women in
1997 took over 13,000 seats in the Union Parishad, the lowest in the
hierarchy of elected bodies in the country. Their election has created a
backlash from conservative elements within the council. Dozens of elected
women have taken a critical stand against the corrupt practices of council
chairmen and the misappropriation of funds, food and healthcare supplies
intended for the community. Several women, particularly those from poor
backgrounds, have been raped but have not taken the case to court for fear
of reprisal. Rowshan Ara is the only woman councillor who has filed a case
against her rapists.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in
or your own language:
**In all your appeals please write the case reference number: Case Number:
Nari O Shishu Nirjatan, Mumla, 107/99, Kishorgonj.

- urging the authorities to take appropriate measures to prevent the
threats to Rowshan Ara, her lawyers, family and prosecution witnesses;
- urging them to bring to justice those issuing such threats.

APPEALS TO:
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Dhaka
Bangladesh
Telegrams Prime Minister Hasina, Dhaka, Bangladesh
=46ax: +880 2 811 3243
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister

Mr Nurul Huda
Inspector-General of Police
Police Headquarter, Fulbaria, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Telegrams: Inspector-General Huda, Fulbaria, Dhaka, Bangladesh
=46ax:+ 880 2 956 3362
Salutation: Dear Sir

COPIES TO:
to diplomatic representatives of Bangladesh accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 6 August 2000.

_______

#3.

EMERGENCY With a Difference

by Ram Puniyani

Quarter a century ago on the night of 25th June the Nation was plunged in
the darkness of Emergency, which suspended the democratic rights of the
citizens. This came in the backdrop of the rising tide of the popular
movements and also the court cases against the then Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi. She resorted to a small coterie, with her son in the 'bullying'
lead, to protect her personal power and to insulate the 'system' from the
aspirations of the weak and struggling sections of society. Emergency
witnessed a blatant violation of the Human rights of the masses, a
censorship on the press, a curb on freedom of expression, and an overall
intimidating and terrorising atmosphere.
It witnessed the infamous 'forced sterlisations', demolitions of hutments
to beautify the capital, the major amongst which, the demolitions at the
Turkman Gate will be permanently etched in the memory for its ghastly
impact. It also witnessed for the first time a total state apathy to the
sensitivities of the minorities, more so the Muslims.
Some of those who were close to the ruling coterie of emergency regime are
still around the newer centers of power around the BJP regime. BJP, which
today claims to have played a major role in the resistance to emergency
regime, though it is not true, is itself providing the major cover for
those who are imposing a 'creeping emergency' on the society in a slow and
aggressive manner. BJP and its parent organisation (RSS) after the initial
resistance did try to strike a deal with the ruling clique. Mr. Vajpayee
remained outside jail on parole for most of the time during emergency. The
RSS chief Mr. Bala Saheb Deoras wrote to Indira Gandhi, offering
cooperation in her programmes if he were released from the prison.

Today we are under a different type of terrorising atmosphere. Last 15-20
years have seen the ascendance of communal forces in the form of RSS and
its affiliates, the Sangh Parivar (BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal) imposing on the
society a terror unleashed by groups, which have roots in the society,
unlike the dreaded emergency which was a mere imposition from the top.
Babri demolition and the post demolition riot were the most intense and
despicable attack on the democracy ever. The present anti-Christian
violence is the latest from the Saffron stable to undermine and stifle the
democracy, with or without the complying state watching silently if not
acquiescing actively in the process. During last two decades the
anti-Minority violence has been the phenomenon, which has drawn our
attention to this creeping emergency.

We cannot forget the attacks on all the symbols of plural culture and
liberal values. Units making films on themes not approved by the
fundamentalist forces have been attacked (Water), cinema theaters showing
similar one's have been damaged (Fire), books have been banned
'unofficially' (Moore's Last Sigh), the Gazal concerts of Ghulam Ali have
been attacked, the art exhibitions have met the similar fate (Maqbul Fida
Husain), panels showing the versions of mythology been torn (Ram Katha
from Jataka Tales, displayed by Sahamat). The history is being tampered
and the academics of high order whose books are ready for release (volumes
of Towards Freedom by K.N.Panikkar and Sumit Sarkar), held back because
these don't endorse the saffron version of history currently being imposed
on the society.

The present 'creeping emergency' is neither a respecter of Human rights of
the weak, neither is it bothered with the truth. Its proponents are
spreading myths against the minorities and in turn their followers are
either burning the holy-books or destroying the holy places with impunity.
With their own political kith (BJP) in power they are sure to get away
with murder of democratic norms. This is supplemented by the overall
gloomy economic scenario of rising unemployment, throwing away of public
enterprises for free in the lap of the capitalist sharks and the rising
levels of hunger and malnutrition.

The present rulers, the progeny of RSS, in pursuance with the agenda of
Hindu Rashtra are doing all in their capacity to scrap the constitution,
which is not only the product of our freedom struggle but is also the
biggest guarantee for protection of the Human rights of the people. It is
for this reason that the illegitimate process of constitution review has
been initiated by the 'experts' chosen by the BJP govt. These 'experts' do
not have the democratic mandate.
The whole democratic process of constitutional amendments through the
elected representatives of the people is being bypassed to 'review' the
most democratic document drafted in the constituent assembly under the
Chairmanship of Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar, whose efforts ensured the
incorporation of principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in our
constitution. This constitution ensured to incorporate the provisions for
affirmative action for the weak and deprived section of society.

The concept of Hindu Rashtra, which is the ideology of Sangh Parivar is
based on the Brahminical version of Hinduism and is against the modern
concepts of democracy and so is out to throw away our constitution, which
is the bedrock of democratic values.

Thus while remembering the nightmare through which the nation has gone 25
years ago we have to remember that even that nightmare was merely a state
sponsored terror, an imposition from the top, and by its very nature could
not have lasted long. While the present 'creeping emergency' is deeply
rooted in the society through the RSS shakhas, through the Bajarang Dal
followers, through the VHP activists and all these activites are being
provided political cover through the clout of BJP. Its time that we wake
up to this danger. The opposition, resistance and international pressure
to lift emergency could succeed in getting it lifted as it did not have
'social roots'. It will be infinite times difficult to undo and throw off
the full fledged Emergency in Permanence called the Hindu Rashtra, which
is a type of blend of Fascism and Fundamentalism. It is a deeply targeted
attack on our democratic polity. Lets resolve to fight against this
onslaught staring us in our face and threatening to engulf the values and
norms of secular democracy, which we have nurtured with deepest
aspirations.

_______

#4.

[Please Endorse the Below Memo to India's President ]

APPEAL FOR ENDORSEMENT OF THE MEMORANDUM CONCERNING VIOLENCE AGAINST
MINORITIES IN INDIA

There has been a sharp escalation in violence against minority communities
for last couple of years in India. In last six months, there have been at
least 35 attacks on Christian institutions and individuals. There have
been several acts of burning of religious literature, attacks on
missionary institutions, priests and nuns. Four bomb blasts targeting
churches took place in various parts of the country in a day. These are
certainly not `isolated criminal incidents' as the government has tried to
project, but a thought out plan against the minority community.

Insaaf International is organizing a 'Sadbhawana march' (peace and
goodwill march) and rally on 15.7.00 in Bhatinda, Punjab India to protest
against this violence. All religions and secular parties and
organizations are participating in it. On that day this memorandum (pasted
below) will be submitted to the president of India through Deputy
Commissioner.

We request organisations and individuals to kindly endorse the memorandum
and also circulate it widely to muster National and International support
for the cause. Send your endorsements to insaaf@g... with a copy
to vineetag@c...

---------------------
Memorandum

To Be Presented to the President of India on 15.7.2000

Honorable K. R Narayanan

President of India

New Delhi

Sir,

Integrity, secularity and unity of India never faced a greater threat than
it does today. It is a very dangerous and critical situation.

India is a secular country. For centuries different communities and
religions have co existed in harmony. It gave all religions the
fundamental right of freedom to profess, practice and propagate their
faith without resorting to violence against each other. Today this
fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution, and protected by the
Rule of Law, stands systematically violated. The concept of secularism is
one facet of the right to equality woven as the central thread in the
fabric depicting the pattern of the scheme in our constitution. Now a
serious challenge to the existence of this fabric has been created by a
handful of fundamentalists. Fundamentalist violence has acquired sharp and
worrying dimensions. It poses a serious threat to harmony, integration and
secularity of our country, which have been strong pillars of its strength
and unity.

Beginning from Babri Masjid demolition to present escalation of violence
against Christians, cold-blooded murders and bomb blasts in places of
religion, the minorities are facing a serious threat to their peaceful
living and freedom to religion from fundamentalist forces

On this day, 15.7.00 we condemn all violence on the name of religion. We
appeal to your Excellency to take such immediate steps as to curb the
sinister activities and plans of fascist elements. Stringent punishment be
given to those responsible for murder and terror on the name of religion
and holy war, propagating hate among different communities and committing
atrocities on minorities. Government must act now. It must check those who
seek to divide communities and threaten to wage war on minorities.

Long live secular India

-------

Dr. Vineeta Gupta
General Secretary, Insaaf International
Kishori Ram Hospital Building, Basant Vihar, Bhatinda, Punjab, India
Phone 91-164-215400 (work), 91-164-253903 (home), Fax 91-164-214500
Email <insaaf@g... > and < vineetag@c...>
Website: www.geocities.com/insaafin

Endorsed by

Name

Organisation ( if applicable)

Country

Address.

Email

________

#5.

***** Announcement ****

PUBLIC PRESS

Why is India's vast coastline being seen as a lucrative investment option?
What happens when slow-growing mangrove forests are destroyed? Are village
communities being consulted or involved in the intensive development of
natural resources by industry? What are the rights of centuries-old farming
communities, and industrial labour in a globalising India?

We are looking for journalists/writers/researchers interested in writing on
issues related to the environment, development, the economy, and government
policy. It is important that they are willing to travel, talk to a variety
of people, thoroughly research the issue. There would be adequate
remuneration.

Articles must be submitted in English. Those more comfortable in Indian
languages are welcome to apply if they are willing to get the pieces
translated in English.

Please send a brief bio-data, samples of published pieces wherever possible
and a short note on your area of interest and reason for applying.
Applications should reach by Aug 31, 2000.

Addressed to: Public Press,

N-14 A, Saket,

New Delhi - 110017, India

E-Mail - pubpress@y...

______________________________________________
SOUTH ASIA CITIZENS WEB DISPATCH (SACW) is an
informal, independent & non-profit citizens wire service
run by South Asia Citizens Web (http://www.mnet.fr/aiindex)
since 1996. Dispatch archive from 1998 can be accessed
by joining the ACT list run by SACW. To subscribe send
a message to <act-subscribe@egroups.com>
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL