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RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

E-Newsletter
Vol.2 No.24
June 12, 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.

1)Statements issued by Bishop Felixberto and Sr. Stella- Marie: Mindanao
2) Equal Property Rights for Women : India
3) Greatness and Caste: a comment by Basil Fernando
4) Declaring 6th August, the Hiroshima Day, A DAY OF PRAYER ? : Australian Peace Committee
5) News in Brief: Burma and India

1) Statements issued by Bishop Felixberto and Sr. Stella 

Marie in the wake of the recent outbreaks in Mindanao and the "all-out-war" by the Government of the Philippines.

BOMBING OF MOSQUES IS STATE TERRORISM
By Bishop Felixberto Calang Chair, Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights-SMR

As a Christian and as a human rights advocate, I am compelled by my religious and moral conviction to condemn the government's bombing of a mosque at the MILF's Camp Bushra. I am also appalled by the sight of soldiers rejoicing over such an act of desecration of hallowed ground.

The recklessness with which the Armed Forces of the Philippines is conducting this senseless war leads me to ask: How many other mosques have you bombed out so far? How many times have you cannoned Muslim communities during their time of prayer? Have our generals and troops no compunction in attacking places of worship and other sites and edifices of deep cultural and religious significance? By these acts of sacrilege, can government draw the line between the terrorism of the Abu Sayyaf and its own state terrorism?

It is clear at this point in the war, that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been and continue to be perpetrated by the AFP against the Moro people. It is also apparent that multitudes of human rights violation cases needing documentation, prosecution, and indemnification await the AFP when the smoke clears after this war.

The many voices clamoring for an end to the government's all-out war in Mindanao are joined by wailing widows and orphans and more than 200,000 Moro, Lumad and Christian evacuees. I am another religious leader casting a voice to this chorus for peace and inter-faith solidarity.

An Urgent Call to Presence: Sr. Stella-Marie

The recent outbreak in Mindanao has signaled a deep social crisis in our society today. There seems to have a growing sentiments among uniformed/misinformed Filipinos, mostly Christians supporting the 'all-out-war' of the government against the MILF rebellion as a solution to the aged-old Mindanao conflict. We know by heart that there are no victors in war but only casualties. A 'quick-fix' solution to a deeply complicated historical problem can only add to the social catastrophe.

Educating to peace must be a prioritized concern in our community life and mission. This must include educating ourselves and others about the causes of war. It means learning how to think critically so that we do not fall prey to ideological manipulation and religious fundamentalism. It is also about learning to appreciate cultural diversity and non-violent form of conflict resolution. Learning the language of peace is truth-telling, as well as self-worth building, never condescending, but always humbling.

Peace education is about justice, teaching ourselves and others 'to understand that poverty and domination in all forms are themselves the ultimate violence pushing people to the battlefield'. Peace will remain a 'ghost' unless social justice will prevail.
May our deeds speak more than words ... So be it!....I remain, 

2) Equal Property Rights for Women : India

Law Commission favours equal property rights for women

In a significant recommendation which will benefit Hindu women, the Law Commission headed by Mr. Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy has favoured suitable amendments to the Hindu Succession Act (HSA), 1956 so that women get an equal share in the ancestral property.

In its 174th report on "Property Rights of Women : Proposed Reforms under the Hindu Law", submitted to the government a few days ago, the Commission has said "social justice demands that the woman should be treated equally both in the economic and the social sphere. The exclusion of daughters from participating in coparcenary property ownership merely by reason of their sex is unjust."

Source: The Hindu, 31-5-2000, p8
From: CWDS Library, INTERNET:cwdslib@alpha.nic.in

3) Greatness and Caste: a comment by Basil Fernando

Radcliffe. Com, published an article on 8th June, basically stating that India, is not a great power and requested comments from the readers. I sent back the following comment.

Why India is not a great power?

It is no great revelation to say, that India is not a great power. Can a nation so deeply divided by castes be great! Just look at the 170 million people who were formerly the untouchables and now what? All that you need to do is to read Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's writings and speeches to get an explanation as to why India is not even a nation, let alone being a great
one. However, it is not true, India can not be a great nation. It can return to the days of Grear Asoka. But for that, it must first of all reform itself. Abandoning caste is the first step, like the way that South Africa gave up Apartheid. About Fiji and Sri Lanka what can India do, when it can not give up its own case of misery, the caste?

4) Declaring 6th August, the Hiroshima Day, A DAY OF PRAYER ? : Australian Peace Committee

Dear friends,

We wonder if you might be willing to take up the following suggestion with churches in your area.
As a follow up to the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty Review Conference (NPT) last month at the United Nations, would it be possible in the fifty days available to prevail upon the world's church leaders to declare Sunday 6th August an International Day of Prayer?

This year is the International Year for the Culture of Peace.
Sunday 6th August is Hiroshima Day.
At the NPT review conference the nuclear weapons states declared for the first time their intention to negotiate the elimination of nuclear weapons in accordance with Article VI of the NPT. Although no time line has yet been set, this declaration is a positive step forward. 

The day of prayer would be in remembrance of all those who have died or been injured in the development, testing and use of nuclear weapons. It would also be a call for a strengthening of resolve by the nuclear weapons states' leaders to begin negotiations without delay.
_____________________________________
Australian Peace Committee Ron Gray
(SA Branch)Inc.
11 South Tce, Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
Ph: (+61-8) 82127138 Fax: (+61-8) 83642291
Email: r-grayle@msn.com.au

5) News in Brief

India: "Swami Agnivesh speaks of "a pattern of growing intolerance" in the context of bombs exploding last week in three churches in Karnataka and Andra Pradesh, and the killing of a catholic priest in Mathura.

Burma: The first massacre of the year in Shan State, 62 killed. The traders who travel the route between Taunggyi and the border town of Tachilek in Shan state report hearing of a wholesale massacre in the deserted village of Wanhpai in Kenglom tract in Kunhing township. Survivors claim that 62 villagers were rounded up and mowed down in withering gunfire by a Burmese army unit operating in the area.