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RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS
E-Newsletter
Vol.2 No.26
June 26, 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.
- A
Message from Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General on the
occasion of the International Day in Support of the
Victims of Torture which is observed on 26th June.
- The
civil society actors and groups form various parts of
India, Jammu and Kashmir met for two days for a Dialogue
on Human Rights, Justice and Peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Srinagar Declaration is copied here for your
information.
- Amnesty
International Report 2000 on Malaysia
- A
desperate appeal by the Christians in Ambon and Moluccas
1)
Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the
International Day in Support of Victims of
Torture, which is observed on 26 June:
Torture is not only one of the vilest acts that one human
being can inflict on another, it is also among the most insidious
of all human rights violations. All too often, it is veiled in
secrecy -- except from those who, cowering in nearby prison
cells, might be its next victims. Victims are often too shamed or
traumatized to speak out, or face further peril if they do;
often, they die from their wounds.Perpetrators, meanwhile, are
shielded by conspiracies of silence and by the legal and
political machinery of States that resort to torture. Even when
accounts of torture reach the light of day, there are those who
contend that investigation will needlessly dredge up horrors long
since past, and that prosecution could destabilize a society,
especially a fragile democracy. Thus does torture as a means of
repression endure; thus does torture send a clear and deliberate
message of intimidation to the public and especially to the brave
lawyers, journalists, non-governmental organizations and others
who try to defend against abuses; thus does a sense of impunity
take hold.
That is precisely why the international community must remain
steadfast in the fight against torture. As surely as the United
Nations stands for peace and development, the United Nations
stands equally for freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman
or degrading treatment or punishment, and for bringing the
perpetrators of such grave crimes to justice.
2)
Civil Society Dialogue on Human Rights, Justice and Peace
in Jammu and Kashmir June 10-11, Srinagar
(J & K)
After 11 years of silence and deepening mistrust, civil society
actors and groups form various parts of India and Jammu and
Kashmir took the initiative to link up across the divide and
wrest back the 'lost' space for civil and humanitarian initiative
for
justice, peace and human rights in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
On June 10 and 11, 2000, a two-day meeting of about 90 civil
society actors from various parts of India and Jammu and Kashmir
was held in Srinagar. The Srinagar initiative explored the
possibility of jointly strengthening the struggles for a
just peace, protection of human rights and enabling community
level activists to cope with the traumatic impact of violence on
society in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Meeting
The two-day deliberations attended by lawyers, human rights and
social activists, retired armed forces personnel and civil
servants, doctors, teachers, engineers, psychologists and
journalists.
SRINAGAR DECLARATION
Adopted on 11, June, 2000, at the Plenary of a two day
conference on "Peace and Justice in Kashmir", held in
Srinagar.
We, members of civil society from various parts of India and
Jammu and Kashmir, Convinced of the indivisibility of democracy,
peace, justice and human rights in Jammu and Kashmir (hereafter,
J&K):
Deeply concerned at the trauma and turmoil experienced by the
people of J&K, particularly over the last eleven years:
Conscious of the suffering of the civilians, particularly women,
children and the aged;
Recognizing the virtual collapse of health and educational
services in the state: Distressed at the widespread unemployment;
Anguished at the attempts to create a divide between various
communities in J&K; Outraged at the mis-governance and
rampant corruption in the state;
Saddened by the insensitivity demonstrated by major sections of
India's media towards the plight of the people of J&K;
Demand immediate steps for the cessation of all forms of violence
and repression, including the withdrawal of security forces to
the barracks and reciprocal measures by militants;
Seek an immediate release of all Kashmiris detained under TADA,
NSA, PSA, Armed Forces Special Powers Act and all other draconian
legislations, a repeal of all such laws and a guarantee for
protection of civil and political rights;
Appeal to the civil society of India and Kashmir for
providing immediate relief to all victims of violence in J&K,
especially women and children;
Urge the government to take immediate steps for the restoration
of health and educational facilities and the economic
resuscitation of the state;
Reiterate the need for the revival and strengthening of the
age-old traditions of tolerance, pluralism and communal amity
that have flourished in J&K;
Condemn the apathy of the central and state government to
corruption and misgovernance in the state;
Appeal to the media to report truthfully to the Indian people the
situation prevailing in J&K;
Oppose division of J&K along religious, sectarian or regional
lines;
Demand an immediate and unconditional tripartite dialogue for a
resolution of the Kashmir issue, in consonance with the wishes of
the people, to ensure sustainable peace, democracy and justice in
J&K.
3)
Amnesty International Report 2000 on Malaysia
Political tensions, heightened by the trials of former deputy
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, intensified in expectation of
general
elections, eventually called in November. The authorities
continued to apply laws restricting rights to peaceful
expression, assembly and association. Malaysia's former police
chief was charged with assaulting Anwar Ibrahim in custody, but
reports of the ill-treatment of other prisoners of conscience
held incommunicado were not adequately investigated. Police used
excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations amid
persistent reports of the ill-treatment of detained protesters.
Hundreds of demonstrators were tried on charges of illegal
assembly or rioting and dozens were imprisoned or fined. Students
involved in the demonstrations were disciplined by university
authorities. At least one person was sentenced to death.
4)
A desperate appeal by the Christians in Ambon and Moluccas
Dear Friends:
Just minutes ago, a communication from Ambon cried out for help
from anybody and the international community. Genocide is
imminent:
- Police quarters are under attack. Their weapons were
ransacked, plundered, and confiscated. The police no
longer have
anything to defend themselves, not to mention to defend
the people under savage attack. The police security
forces need weapons.
- The so-called "Komando Jihad" co-ordinated and
led the attacks. No more euphemism! Need pressure on the
Indonesian government to take strong and swift measures;
or if incapable, the Indonesian government should let
United Nations and the International civilized
communities to interfere.
- Christian populations are now concentrated in several
points, easy targets for attacks. Need protection for
their lives. Time is not in their side.
- Need evacuation force. Perhaps the Indonesian Marines. At
the time of this writing, the reliable local person who
manages to call on the phone is watching clouds of fire
rising up to the sky, crying for help from humanity.
Louder than the cry of Abel's blood. Please do whatever
you can. Call Clinton, Gore, Bush, K. Annan, or whomever
may have the power to stop this carnage! And please cry
for God's help too.
De profundis,
(June 24, 2000)
For further information please call: Father Agus or Father Bohm
++62-
911-355337
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Please note that the complete texts of these documents
could be obtained on request.
The copies of previous e-newsletters could be accessed at http://www.hrschool.org/rghr/
Posted on 2000-06-26
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