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RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

E-Newsletter
Vol.2 No.12
March 20, 2000


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Religious Perspectives on Human Rights is now available online at: http://www.rghr.net

Religious Perspectives on Human Rights is a weekly e-newsletter issued by Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic and Christian Groups on Human Rights, initiated by the Asian Human Rights Commission.

Dear Friends,

In the wake of the peace initiatives taken through the mediation of a third party in addressing the long standing conflict in Sri Lanka, an attempt at building bridges between the various communities is presented here through the courtesy of JRS.

We reproduce here the tragic reports of child soldiers coming from Burma and the despicable events of "honour Killings" and the 'burning of the wives', reaching us from Pakistan.

We then wind up with a short dialogue by Basil Fernando where the tragic failure of a nation to come to grips with the crimes it has committed against its own people is poignantly portrayed. The editor

Please notify us in case your e-mail address is changed.

1) Sri Lanka: Bringing Ethnic Groups Together
2) Child Soldiers In Burma By Chitralekha Massey
3) Honour Killings And The Burning Of Women- Courtesy Un Wire
4) A Mother's Rights And Nation's Rights A Dialogue - Basil Fernando
5) News In Brief: Thailand, Arab Emirates, S. Korea And Hong Kong

1) Sri Lanka: Bringing Ethnic Groups Together

Displaced Tamils recently paid a memorable visit to their home villages to meet with the Sinhalese they once co-existed with. "A joyous meeting of hearts and minds is how I would describe what happened on 11 February in the border villages of Batticaloa - Amparai," said JRS worker, Joseph Mary SJ. "For the first time in ten long years, displaced Tamils went back to have at least a glimpse of their home villages, of their land, now overgrown with weeds, and of the places where their houses once stood." Sinhala farmers anxiously awaited the arrival of the Tamils, armed with banners to welcome them. Accompanying both sides were Christian and Buddhist representatives, among others. Fr Joseph was travelling with the Tamils. "On meeting, the Sinhalese and Tamils embraced. There was music blaring, "Nalai Namathe" (Tomorrow is Ours) set up by the Sinhalese. The people were so overcome that the plan for the day to engage in volunteer work was abandoned," Fr Joseph said. "The older people recalled common memories, the younger ones chatted, there was laughter and taking photos all around. A meal was served by the hosts." The Sinhalese decided to visit the homes where the Tamils have taken refuge since 1990. Although there were bursts of shelling from both army and rebels, the visit went ahead as planned.

The initiative, part of a work-together program aimed at bringing Sri Lanka's ethnic groups together, took place in a zone heavy with ethnic tension. In September, the rebels killed 56 Sinhalese villagers from the border villages in Amparai in retaliation for indiscriminate bombing in Pudukudyiruppu by the Sri Lankan air force which claimed the lives of 21 Tamil displaced people.

2) Child Soldiers In Burma By Chitralekha Massey

In Burma, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) has child soldiers in its ranks. The official conscription age of SLORC is 14 years. The recruits are designated "ye-Nyunt Youth". They are given political training and taught to be loyal to the government and the army. UNICEF has identified one such camp run by SLORC in the Shan State where children of seven years and above are being indoctrinated. Children are killed, forcibly conscripted, unwillingly separated from their parents and families, kidnapped, tortured, forced to kill, torture and rape and they are either underpaid or not paid at all. They suffer drug abuse, ethnic discrimination and sexual exploitation.

A Burmese boy testifies " sometimes I fell asleep when I was on guard duty, I was beaten by my corporal. He beat me like a dog, like I was an animal, not a human being. There were two or three suicides during that time, of boys who had been hospitalized and finally shot themselves."

Courtesy: ANICC From the Article "Children in Armed Conflict: A Horrifying Image from Asia by Chitralekha Massey

3) Honour Killings And The Burning Of Women- Courtesy Un Wire

VIOLENCE: Pakistani Group Lobbies For Change In Law; More

Incidents in which Pakistani women are burned to death by their husbands or in-laws are increasing, according to figures compiled by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. At least four women are reportedly burned to death daily by family members.
In Rawalpindi, just south of the capital of Islamabad, some 40 women are admitted to the hospital each month for burns, often covering as much as 90% of their bodies. "This is just the tip of the iceberg," said Shahnaz Bukhari, head of the Progressive Women's Association, which is working to help survivors and raise awareness of the problem. Despite evidence against attackers that is often overwhelming, the organization has secured convictions in less than 1% of cases.
"It's the easiest way for a husband to get rid of a wife he no longer wants," Bukhari said. "There are no gunshots, no fingerprints. All the husband has to say is that the wife was cooking in the kitchen when the edge of her dupatta (scarf) fell in the stove and caught fire."
Last week, the group and several human rights organizations launched a campaign to press Pakistan's military government to introduce legislation making domestic violence a crime. Bukhari has also set up a shelter in Rawalpindi for burn survivors (Christina Lamb, London Telegraph, 12 Mar).

Calling Honor Killing A Crime Is Long Overdue -- Editorial
The government's decision to treat honor killings -- when a woman is murdered because she is perceived to have shamed her family -- as a crime is long overdue, according to an editorial in the Karachi Dawn. "This kind of killing is a crying national shame -- one that repudiates our claim to being wedded to civilized norms and values."
The newspaper recommends a "two-track approach" -- an awareness campaign and bringing killers to justice with "exemplary punishment" (Karachi Dawn, 14 Mar).

4) A Mother's Rights And Nation's Rights - A dialogue

Mother; S/he was mine. I gave life. Nation- we have right to kill though we can not give birth.

Mother; Did you kill my son? Nation ; well yes. Can not deny that.

Mother; when, where and how? Nation; of that we have no specific information.

Mother ;Why did you kill my son? Nation ;Exactly about your son we have no information.

Mother; Who specifically decided to kill my son? Nation; that too we do not know.

Mother; So, you gave a general instruction to kill? Nation; yes, that is right.

Mother; You have nothing more to to tell me? Nation; Yes Nothing more.

5) News In Brief: Thailand, Arab Emirates, S. Korea And Hong Kong

5.1 - THAILAND: MAX EDIGER AND THE 6 BURMESE DETAINEES

REFERENCE: AHRC UA Index: 000307

UA 09/00: Detention of Peace activist

MARCH 16: We have just received information that the six Burmese who were being detained in association with the incident involving Max Ediger have been set free! They have been 'deported' to the Burmese side of the Thai border.

At this stage it is still uncertain whether or not Max Ediger will be charged. There are currently no charges against him. We will monitor the situation and inform you of any further change. Thank you for all the letters sent on behalf of Max Ediger and the 6 Burmese detainees, and congratulations for contributing to the freedom of the detainees.

5.2 - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Indonesian national sentenced to death by stoning

MARCH 8: We have received some very disturbing information from the Indonesian Women's Solidarity for Human Rights organisation (Perserikatan Solidaritas Perempuan) regarding an Indonesian domestic worker named Kartini, who has been sentenced to death by stoning in the United Arab Emirates, where she had been working legally in the city of Fujairah. In 1999, Kartini became pregnant, was accused of adultery by her employers, and delivered her baby in detention. 

5.3 - Open letter addressed to Clinton, the President of the United States

Is it for crimes or for peace?
- Critical question on the Korea-stationed U.S. Army
The United States should apologize on the continuing crimes of the U.S. Army stationed in South Korea and conduct investigations and punish criminals!
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Sent by All Participants Rallying Against Crimes of the U.S. Army to urge the
U.S. authorities apology and amendment to the SOFA
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5.4 - It is reported that Pope's apology has prompted many christian communities to look into their past. The Hong Kong catholics for instance are examining areas where they have faltered so as to seek forgiveness. - How about the social action groups reexamining the past perfomance from the perspective of the Human Rights?