[sacw] SACW #1 (04 January. 02)

Harsh Kapoor aiindex@mnet.fr
Fri, 4 Jan 2002 00:53:34 +0100


South Asia Citizens Wire - Dispatch #1 | 4 January 2002
http://www.mnet.fr/aiindex
[This issue of the dispatch is dedicated to the memory of Anil=20
Agarwal, one of India's finest environmentalists. Anil died on the=20
2nd of January 2002.]

------------------------------------------
#1. India: Environmentalist Anil Agarwal Passes Away
#2. India: Press Release - People For Peace
#3. War must be avoided at all costs. (Tapan Kumar Bose)
#4. Pull India, Pakistan From the Brink (Shireen T. Hunter)
#5. Peace forum flays lathi-charge on Wagah rally
#6. New Delhi Would Be Smart to Give Musharraf Its Support (Najam Sethi)
#7. USA: Rally For Peace & Unity In South Asia (Boston)
#8. USA: Peace Rally by South Asians (San Francisco)
#9. SAARC SUMMIT: Bangladesh Press Watchdog Joint Statement

________________________

#1.

ENVIRONMENTALIST ANIL AGARWAL PASSES AWAY

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 2: Anil Agarwal, 54, Chairperson of the
New Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment, passed
away in Dehradun today after a prolonged illness. He was
undergoing treatment for cancer and asthma, and is survived by his
wife and two daughters.

The cremation will take place at the Lodhi Road Crematorium at 3
pm today, January 3, 2002

Agarwal, a mechanical engineer trained at IIT Kanpur, began his
journalistic career as a science correspondent for the Hindustan
Times in 1973. He was the Editor of Down To Earth, India's premier
science and environment magazine. He has written for several
international publications including the London-based journals
Earthscan and New Scientist. He has written and edited more than
20 books on science and environment in India.

In 1980, Agarwal founded CSE, one of the world's most dynamic
NGOs.

>From 1983 to 1987, Agarwal chaired the world's largest network of
environmental NGOs, the Nairobi-based Environment Liasion
Centre. In 1987, the United Nations Environment Programme
elected him to its Global 500 Honor Roll for his work in the national
and international arena. The Indian Government has also honored
him with Padma Shri and Padma Bushan for his work in
environment and development

CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT ( CSE )
41, TUGHLAKABAD INSTITUTIONAL AREA, NEW DELHI- 110 062
TELE: 608 1110, 608 1124
608 3394, 608 6399
FAX : 91-11-608 5879
VISIT US AT: http://www.cseindia.org
Email: webadmin@c...

_____

#2.

Press release of the People for Peace meeting held on 2nd January.
PUBLIC MEETING OF PEOPLE FOR PEACE
JANUARY 2 2002

Allah, Ram, Isa aur Nanak laachar khade dekh rahe
Kaun unki banayee zamin ko loot rahe
Agar aaj tum na aaye aage
To ye khudgarz neta jeet jayenge

These lines of poetry were composed and recited by 16 year old=20
Anjala who had been devastated by the thought that never again would=20
she see her cousins who live in Pakistan.

At a Public Meeting of People for Peace it was resolved that a huge=20
mobilization of peace loving people would be organized at the Wagah=20
Border in mid January. Its main agenda would be to prevent war=20
between India and Pakistan. This demonstration is aimed at=20
reflecting the aspirations of the silent majority. These are the=20
common people on both sides of the border who want friendship with=20
their neighbours, and say, in unequivocal terms, NO TO WAR.

The meeting, held at 4.00 pm today at the Indian Social Institute,=20
had a wide cross section of speakers including women and children=20
from Satbari village near Gurgaon, Shri. I.K.Gujral, Salman Khurshid,=20
D. Raja, Kuldip Nayar, Syed Shahabuddin, and Nirmala Deshpande. The=20
children and women expressed the hopes and the aspirations of=20
India=92s citizens who abhor the thought of war and want all matters=20
to be settled with dialogue. They recalled the time when Pakistani=20
visitors had come to their village and seemed to them just like part=20
of their own families.

All speakers emphasised that the cancellation of Samjhauta train and=20
Sadbhavana bus has only hurt the common people; they demanded=20
restoration of train, bus and air service to Pakistan. It was also=20
resolved to urge the two leaders of Pakistan and India to meet and=20
renew dialogue on the sidelines of SAARC summit in Kathmandu and=20
arrive at peaceful solutions to all outstanding matters.

The statement prepared by the People for Peace was read and endorsed=20
by all present.

It was resolved that the plan of action of People for Peace would=20
also include a nation- wide mobilization to tap the enormous peace=20
constituency that exists all over the country. Civil society of=20
Pakistan was urged to undertake and promote similar mobilization at=20
their end. It was further resolved that public meetings be held in=20
various mohallas of Delhi to sensitize the people to the devastating=20
dangers of war and the advantages of living peacefully with=20
neighbours.

Two coordinating committees have been formed - 1 To take care of the=20
Wagah border programme. 2. To coordinate the Delhi programme.

Contact persons are:
Nirmala Deshpande Syeda Hameed
Praful Bidwai Dinesh Mohan
Kuldeep Nayyar Mohini Giri
Prakash Louis Sumanta Banerji
John Dayal Tapan Bose
Kanti Bajpai Naheed Taban
Aurobindo Ghosh Iqbal Ansari
Kamal Chenoy Brinda Singh
R.M.Pal N.D. Pancholi
Prabir Purkayastha Felicio Cardoso
Azra Rizvi Mahipal Singh
Anuradha Chenoy M.H. Khureshi
Suraya Tabasum Somen Chakravarti
Gautam Navlakha Vijayan
Mary Scaria Vashum
Valson Thampu Kamala Bhasin

For People for Peace

prakash louis
Indian Social Institute
Ne Delhi
3.1.2002
Prakash Louis Executive Director Indian Social Institute 10,=20
Institutional Area Lodi Road New Delhi 110003 Tel: 4625015, 4622379,=20
4611745 Fax: 011- 4690660
_____

#3.

[28 December 2001]

War must be avoided at all costs.
Tapan Kumar Bose

The December 13 incident:
The war in Afghanistan is over. But the Indian subcontinent is facing the
threat of a war between India and Pakistan. And the cause is Kashmir, which
represents one of the world's longest-standing disputes. After the December
13, 2001 armed attack on the Indian parliament by a group of militants,
Indo-Pak relations seems to have hit the all time low. Indian Prime Ministe=
r
and his cabinet colleagues have blamed two Pakistan based Jehadi outfits,
Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, who have been active in Indian held
Kashmir for the attack. The Indian leaders have also claimed that Pakistan'=
s
Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) assisted these outfits in planning and
execution of the attack on the Indian parliament. Pakistan's President,
General Musharraf condemned the attack. He banned Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and
Jaish-e-Mohammed. He also froze their assets and bank accounts. The leader
of Jaish-e-Mohammed was detained briefly. A section of Pakistani press
reported that the ban order and freezing of funds had not effected these
organisations and that these organisations had already transferred their
funds to the accounts of other organisations, which were not banned. The
Indians felt that the actions of Pakistan government were a mere show for
international public consumption. They asked for the immediate arrest of th=
e
leaders of the two organisations. Pakistan asked for evidence and offered t=
o
conduct a joint investigation. Indians turned down these requests.

The offensive begins:
On December 21, eight days after the attack on the parliament, India
announced the decision to recall its High Commissioner from Pakistan. It
also declared the closure of rail and road links between India and Pakistan=
.
Both the decisions to be implemented from January 1, 2002. On December 27,
Indian Foreign Minister announced the closure of Indian air space to
Pakistani civilian aircraft and cancellation of Pakistan's ''Most favoured
Nation''. These measures are also to come into effect from January 1, 2002.

While ''evidence'' of the involvement of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and
Jaish-e-Mohammed based on the ''confessions'' of some of the suspects
arrested by Indian police after the attack, has been presented in the India=
n
media, both Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed have denied involvement
in the attack on Indian parliament of December 13, 2001. India claims that
it has shown the ''evidence'' of the involvement of these two organisations
and Pakistan's ISI to the United Sates, UK and France.

India and Pakistan, two nuclear weapon states have started military
preparations in earnest. Both have amassed huge forces along the border.
Battle ready Indian and Pakistani soldiers backed by artillery units and ai=
r
force are standing eyeball to eyeball. Threats are being matched by counter
threats. In Jammu and Kashmir, cross-border shelling has already claimed
several lives. Villagers from the border zone in Punjab and Rajasthan are
being evacuated. A war can break out anytime.

Media beats the war drum:
The Indian and Pakistani media are adding fuel to the fire of jingoism.
Indian TV newscasters, commentators and newspaper columnists have been
haranguing the ministers for being soft on Pakistan. Every day the Indian
media is asking the government to follow the example of USA and Israel. In
Pakistan, the media is advising General Musharraf to stop yielding to the
"unending demands" of the Indian government and prepare for war in earnest.
Those who talk of peace and question the policy of confrontation are being
asked to keep quite and join in the war efforts. Beating the war drum, the
Indian and Pakistani media have declared that every "patriot" in India and
Pakistan is ready for the extreme sacrifice. It is unfortunate that the
media, instead of performing its democratic function and defending the righ=
t
to freedom of expression and conscience, is now actively suppressing the
voices of dissent. The jingoistic media has arrogated to itself the role of
the nation's only conscience keeper.

The worst case scenario:
In the current situation, cross border military action by Indian forces in
Pakistan controlled Jammu and Kashmir carries the serious threat of
releasing massive violence in the subcontinent.

Pakistan is a Muslim country. Because of its support to the USA, Pakistan's
military regime is currently facing serious challenges from its former
allies within - the radical Islamists and Jehadi organisations some of whom
are heavily armed. The problem is further compounded by the fact that until
recently, some of these Jehadi groups were allies of Pakistan's military.
Though sections of liberal democratic people of Pakistan, who have always
opposed the radical Islamist forces are supporting the Musharraf regime, in
a situation of crisis they might not be able to withstand the power and
influence of the radical Islamist forces. It also should be noted that
majority of the liberal people of Pakistan are opposed to military
dictatorship. Most Pakistanis are also critical of the militarist policy of
the US and Western governments. Therefore, the present alliance between the=
m
and General Mushrraf's regime is at best a tactical one.

If Indian forces cross the Line of Control, General Musharraf will have no
option but to retaliate. A war between India and Pakistan at this stage has
the potential of escalating beyond the borders of Jammu and Kashmir. It wil=
l
disturb the critical balance of power inside Pakistan. This may encourage
the radical Islamist groups, the tribes of NWFP and Baluchistan who share
kinship and affinity with the Pukhtoons (Pushtuns) of Afghanistan and
sections of the Afghan refugees to launch armed struggles inside Pakistan.
The violence may further spread to Sindh involving the MQM and Sindhi
nationalists. In the worst case scenario, under the twin pressure of
external aggression and internal violence, the Pakistan army may split
leading to a collapse of the central authority of Pakistan.

India is a Hindu majority country with a large Muslim population (120
million). In fact it is said that there are more Muslims in Indian than in
Pakistan. India's growing Hindu radicalism has put its Muslim population at
jeopardy. Apart from the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, India is also
facing serious challenges from other ethnic and non-Hindu communities in th=
e
Northeast of India. Though the Sikh militancy has been crushed,
dissatisfaction simmers beneath the surface in the sensitive border state o=
f
East Punjab. In middle India, in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Chattishgarh and Bihar, armed struggle of the land less peasantry
led by various Maoist organisations has been continuing for nearly three
decades. Recent violent attacks on India's Christian minority and the
attempts by a section of supporters of the ruling radical Hindu nationalist
party to re-capture the sensitive Babri Mosque site despite assurances that
such unilateral actions by Hindus would not be allowed, has further vitiate=
d
the political atmosphere. It will be no exaggeration to say that if civil
war breaks out in Pakistan, it will have serious repercussions in India.

Co-operation, not confrontation:
The tension needs to be diffused immediately. India and Pakistan should
scale down the military build up and put an end to verbal jingoism. The
event of December 13 shows that extremist groups have attained the capacity
to strike anywhere and everywhere. Through such actions of extremists want
to derail peace negotiations and destabilise India and Pakistan relations.
This is against the interest of the states as well as the peoples of
Kashmir, India and Pakistan.

If the objective of the Indian government's diplomatic offensive was to
pressurise Pakistan to take action against Jehadi groups and to build a
favourable international public opinion in its favour, the same could have
been achieved without the threat of use of force and the military build up
on the borders. Neither India nor Pakistan can afford to allow extremist
groups to function freely inside their territories. Instead of quarrelling
they need to co-operate with each other. Unfortunately, the leaders of Indi=
a
and Pakistan have once again failed to grasp the opportunities of
co-operation and concerted action offered by the current situation. Instead
of moving towards constructive co-operation, they have allowed the situatio=
n
to deteriorate.

It should also be noted that the 'terrorists' did not create the Kashmir
dispute. The current crisis in Kashmir that is now infecting the body polit=
y
of India and Pakistan, is the creation of the unfair and unjust policies of
the two governments. If the basic issues of injustice, violation of human
rights and political future of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not are
not addressed, elimination of one set of so-called terrorists will not solv=
e
the problem. The alliance against terrorism has to be more than a mere
military pact. It should address the political, social and economic context
in which terrorism is born. Injustice, poverty, rampant corruption,
discrimination and the highhandedness of the authorities are some of the
causes for political instability in this region, which provides an ideal
breeding ground for terrorism. Elimination of these causes may not eliminat=
e
terrorism altogether, but it will certainly reduce the incidence of
terrorism.

The, search for peace in Jammu and Kashmir has remained trapped in the
security paradigm. It is oriented towards drawing the two main armed
parties, India and Pakistan into a negotiation process that would conclude
with an agreement capable of restoring stability. This approach focuses
singularly on "militancy" or "terrorism". It fails to recognise that
legitimate grievances of the people are at the root of the current phase of
the 'freedom struggle' in Indian held Jammu and Kashmir. India regards all
militant and non-militant political opposition in Jammu and Kashmir as
Pakistan sponsored terrorism. It is also unfortunate that Pakistan
authorities in their support for 'Kashmir struggle' have not only used the
'Jehadi' arm and ignored and suppressed the democratic aspirations of the
people in Pakistan held Kashmir.

The peoples of Jammu and Kashmir have been kept isolated both by the
governments of India and Pakistan as well as by the "Jehadi" militant
forces. They need to be empowered to break the stranglehold of the
militarist forces in Jammu and Kashmir. The recognition and empowerment of
non-militant political formations of Jammu and Kashmiri people is necessary
for the purpose of finding sustainable peace in the region.

Peace is a process. It is not achieved in a single move. The conflict in
Jammu and Kashmir embodies a multiplicity of issues. The peace process in
Jammu and Kashmir shall have to address all these issues - the question of
protection of minorities, autonomy of different regions, right to religion
and culture, the rights of women and many such issues. There should be scop=
e
and opportunities for civil society actors to participate in this process o=
f
peace building. Involvement of different sections of people would make the
peace process transparent and democratic. It would also build trust. This i=
s
the most effective way of countering terrorism. India and Pakistan need to
co-operate with each other to develop a comprehensive approach for peace
building. Instead of pursuing the military approach, which creates mistrust
and divides people, they should allow the peoples of India, Pakistan and
Jammu and Kashmir to meet and dialogue so that together the people are able
to address the issues that divide them and find a way to resolve the
conflicts.

_____

#4.

Los Angeles Times
January 2, 2002
COMMENTARY
Pull India, Pakistan From the Brink

By SHIREEN T. HUNTER, Shireen T. Hunter is the director of the Islam=20
program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in=20
Washington.
Even before the U.S. mission in Afghanistan has been completed and=20
that country has been stabilized, another conflict looms that could=20
be even more destabilizing for the region. Preventing war between=20
India and Pakistan, with their fledgling nuclear capabilities, has to=20
be of the highest order for the international community. The world=20
cannot afford to test whether the principle of deterrence can work in=20
this case as it did during the Cold War.
How did we get to this point and how do we defuse it? The buildup to=20
this crisis shows how states can be brought to the brink of conflict=20
by the actions of groups that fall outside of government control,=20
even if, at some point, they had seemed to be useful.
This certainly has been true regarding two extremist groups,=20
Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which allegedly masterminded=20
and carried out the Dec. 13 attack on the Indian Parliament. Indeed,=20
the two groups represent a larger phenomenon in Pakistan: the=20
radicalization of a segment of Pakistani Muslims deriving from the=20
Soviet-Afghan war and the belief by some segments of Pakistan's=20
military and political establishment that such groups could help=20
achieve the country's strategic and political goals. It was a similar=20
misguided perception that led Pakistan to nurture and support the=20
Taliban in Afghanistan and to try to use similar groups in the=20
Kashmir conflict.
Yet there was a downside. The activities of some Muslim extremist=20
groups promoted sectarian tensions in Pakistan and the deepening of=20
internal divisions. Thus even before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,=20
President Pervez Musharraf had begun to rein in these extremist=20
groups. Because of intense domestic pressures, the crackdown was not=20
extended to groups engaged in Kashmir. This has proved to be a=20
cardinal mistake. [...] .

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-000000241jan02.story

_____

#5.
DAWN
03 January 2002

Peace forum flays lathi-charge on Wagah rally
Bureau Report

HYDERABAD, Jan 2: The Pak-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy=20
condemned lathi-charge by the law enforcement agencies on the rally=20
held at Wagah border, near Lahore , which had been held for peace and=20
against the tension between the two countries.
The leaders of the Forum, Hyderabad chapter, Mir Sikandar Ali Talpur,=20
Zafar A. Rajput, M. Shabbir Khilji, and Dr. Merajuddin among others,=20
in a joint statement issued on Wednesday, also condemned the=20
misbehaviour of the law enforcement agencies towards women protesters.
The lawyers also took strong exception on the ban imposed on Ms=20
Nirmala Deshpande, an exponent of the Pak-India Friendship and Peace,=20
and the chairperson of the Indian chapter of the Forum, Ramdas, by=20
India.
These messengers of peace, the lawyers said, were on a peace mission=20
to Pakistan and wanted to enter the country to meet President Gen=20
Pervez Musharraf.
They said this action by India will sabotage the peace efforts=20
between the two countries and will encourage the extremist elements.
The leaders of the forum have appealed to the Indian and Pakistani=20
governments to withdraw their forces from the borders and initiate=20
negotiations to resolve the existing problems between the two=20
countries. They also appealed to the two governments to restore air=20
and land travelling facilities for the people of Pakistan and India.
Meanwhile, the chairman, Lawyers Equity Action Committee, Hyderabad,=20
Advocate Zahoor A. Baloch has supported the efforts of President Gen=20
Pervez Musharraf undertaken by him in the interest of national=20
security.
He said every lawyer of Hyderabad appreciated the statesmanship of=20
the president.
Dialogue: Representatives of political parties, religious and social=20
welfare organizations asked the people of India to pressurize their=20
government to refrain from creating a war-like situation.
They said this at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Zila=20
Nazim, Dr Makhdoom Rafiquz Zaman, at the Shahbaz Hall on Wednesday.
The meeting emphasized the need for a dialogue between the two=20
countries as confrontation between the two countries was not a=20
solution to the existing problem.
It said that the people of the two countries were facing problems of=20
poverty, health care and education and they were lagging far behind=20
developed countries in these areas.
[...].

_____

#6.

The International Herald Tribune
Wednesday, January 2, 2002=20

New Delhi Would Be Smart to Give Musharraf Its Support=20

By Najam Sethi
The writer, editor of The Friday Times, a national weekly based in Lahore,
contributed this comment to the International Herald Tribune.

LAHORE, Pakistan India is threatening to wage war against Pakistan for
"aiding and abetting terrorism" in Kashmir, territory held by India but
hotly disputed by Pakistan since the independence of both nations in 1947.
India's view is that if America can attack Afghanistan for hosting Qaida
terrorists, why can't India follow suit against Pakistan for sustaining
Islamic groups bent on terrorist violence in Kashmir? [...].

http://www.iht.com/articles/43440.html

_____

#7.

SUPPORT PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA
WHAT: RALLY FOR PEACE AND UNITY IN SOUTH ASIA
WHEN: SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2 p.m.
WHERE: PARK STREET, DOWNTOWN BOSTON

SPONSORED BY: South Asian Center, Alliance for a Secular and Democratic
South Asia, Pakistan American Congress, PAKSMIT, Sangam, Boston Global
Action Network, Solidarity

CONTACT: Jaspal Singh, South Asian Center,
manex@c..., 617.497.0316, for more information or to be added as a
sponsor

STATEMENT: Reacting to the increased tensions between India and Pakistan
in recent weeks, members of the Indian and Pakistani communities living in
Boston plan to demonstrate for peace. Recognizing that war between the two
countries will neither resolve the issue of Kashmir nor solve any of the
other problems facing the two countries but will further exacerbate the
living condition of the people of South Asia, community members from both
India and Pakistan will stand together in solidarity to reaffirm their
commitment to peace and justice in the region. Several local community
groups will issue brief statements, accompanied with traditional music and
poetry expressing sentiments of unity and friendship.

Co-sponsors include:
South Asian Center
Alliance for a Secular and Democratic South Asia
Pakistan American Congress
Boston Global Action Network
PAKSMIT
Sangam
Solidarity
_____

#8.

For the San Francisco Bay Area:

Dear friends:

We call upon the members of AID, ASHA, FOIL and
all peace-loving, democratic people to come to a
Rally:

Monday, January 7, 2002
11 a.m.-noon, Indian Consulate,
540 Arguello Boulevard(near Geary) San Francisco, CA 94118

Click here for Directions:
http://www.geocities.com/akhila_raman/consulate_directions.htm

We will also present a NO-WAR petition to the Indian Consulate
with atleast 50 signatures:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/PM_nowar/petition.html

Similar public rallies took place in Montreal and Vancouver
last week, organized jointly by CERAS and the Montreal
chapter of INSAF, and SANSAD respectively. We copy the
following text from their announcement with grateful thanks.

The situation between India and Pakistan is
deteriorating at an alarming pace. War drums are
beating louder with shrieking noises of orchestrated
national jingoism. Massive mobilization of armed
forces on the long frontier between the two countries
has taken place. Missiles with nuclear-head
capabilities have been deployed. Indian Navy has moved
war ships close to Karachi. Artillery, mortar and
machine-gun exchanges have already occured across the
Line of Control in Kashmir, killing as many as 30
people on both sides. Black-outs and siren noises are
being practised on a regular basis in the border
districts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
=20=20=20=20
The December 13 attack on India's parliament building
was an utterly deplorable and condemnable act. But
shunning all viable options to cope with the
situation, the belligerant Indian government
instantly declared Pakistan responsible for it, and
did not waste a moment to call for a war. Arbitrarily
it cancelled the bus and train journeys between the
two countries.

The people in the sub-continent do not want another
war between the two neighbouring countries. All the
previous wars brought only death, destruction and
misery; and no resolution of any of the outstanding
issues.

We firmly believe that WAR is not the answer. We believe
that all the outstanding issues of dispute and
differences could be settled through negotiations in
good faith. This requires that India must accept
Pakistan as a neighbor in equal standing. Only with a
lasting peace in the sub-continent can we begin to
deal with the more vital problems faced by the
ordinary people : the issues of poverty, hunger,
education, employment, proper housing, etc.
=20=20=20=20
PLEASE COME TO THE RALLY. BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND
FAMILY. PLEASE COME AND SPEAK UP FOR PEACE WITH DIGNITY
AND MUTUAL RESPECT. Bring your organizational banners and
concerns.

STOP BEATING WAR DRUMS RESTORE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AND CHANNELS
RESTORE BUS AND TRAIN SERVICES ACROSS THE BORDER BUILD
NEIGHBOURLY TRUST, NOT HOSTILITY

In Solidarity

On behalf of the volunteers
Akhila Raman
_____

#9.
NOTE: Please disseminate to relevant social justice activists, rights=20
networks, media professional organisations, and of course to the=20
press for publication and action.

Embargo: until 1 January 2002

SAARC SUMMIT: BANGLADESH PRESS WATCHDOG JOINT STATEMENT

Effort needed to ensure independent press among south Asian nations

The press watchdog of Bangladesh welcome the summit of the heads of=20
states of South Asia at Kathmandu, capital of Nepal during 4 6=20
January 2002. Also wish to raise the political commitment of the=20
heads of states to take additional effort to ensure the growth of=20
independent press in the region, which will definitely improve=20
understanding among the nations.

The Bangladesh watchdog overwhelmingly support the concern raised by=20
other south Asian media professional bodies and human rights=20
organisation on the issue of violence and intimidation to stifle=20
independent press in south Asia.

Despite the governments of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri=20
Lanka have repeatedly proclaimed attachment to press freedom,=20
restrictive laws which governs print and electronic media are=20
impediment to development of independent press.

In the backdrop of vibrant independent print and electronic press in=20
Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, journalists were frequently=20
subjected to physical assault and intimidation.

We, urge upon the governments to demonstrate tolerance, restrain from=20
exercising repressive actions and, of course take proactive steps to=20
ensure independent press and right to inform.

We, urge upon Pakistan, Maldives and Bhutan to sign and ratify the=20
'The International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights' as well as=20
'Article 19' of 'The Universal Declaration of Human Rights', which=20
demonstrates a nation=EDs commitment to the growth of independent press.

We, are deeply concerned on censorship in Sri Lanka and Nepal which=20
may encourage autocratic regimes elsewhere.

We, express regret of the existence of scores of restrictive laws=20
which governs the press in all the south Asian countries, which is=20
the biggest hurdle to ensure independent press.

We, urge the heads of states to lift restrictions on import of=20
newspapers and periodicals among SAARC members.

We, urge upon the SAARC nations to liberalise visa formalities for=20
south Asian journalists.

We, sincerely believe that privatisation of the state-owned=20
electronic media would immensely contribute to confidence-building=20
among the people in the SAARC countries.

We, suggest to the heads of states to establish media exchange=20
programme among member countries to strengthen bondage among the=20
SAARC nations.

Signatories:
(1) Saleem Samad, General Secretary, South Asian Media Association=20
(SAMA), Bangladesh Chapter & correspondent Reporters Without Borders=20
(RSF)
(2) Mainul Islam Khan, Member Secretary, Media Watchdog Group, Bangladesh
(3) Shaukat Mahmud, General Secretary, Committee to Protect=20
Journalists, Bangladesh
(4) Kamrul Islam Monju, Executive Director, Massline Media Centre, Banglade=
sh
(5) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, General Secretary, MediaWatch, Bangladesh
(6) Golam Mourtaza, Director, Centre for Communication & Development,=20
Bangladesh

For further information on Bangladesh independent press or other=20
query, please refer to:
Mainul Islam Khan
Member Secretary
Media Watchdog Group, Bangladesh
Phone: +88.018.238661 (Mobile), +88.02.8620539 (Work)
Fax: +88.02.9122907
_____

#4.

_____

#7.

_____

#7.

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

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