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RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

E-Newsletter
Vol.3 No.8
February 19, 2001


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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) KANDY PEACE MARCH 17 . 02. 2001: Fr. Nandana Manatunga reports from Kandy
2) UNITED IN TRAGEDY: The Father of a Muslim Youth who Died in a Bomb Blast on Christmas Eve Says that He is Proud...
3) "CONCERNED WOMEN ORGANISATION" : Moslem, Protestant and Catholic Women Get Organised to Desist Violence in Maluku : report from Crisis
Centre
4)Jakarta To Establish Human Rights Courts "Soon" (BBC/1/2/01) Source: Tempo/31/1/01
5) NEWS IN BRIEF

1) KANDY PEACE MARCH 17 . 02. 2001: Fr. Nandana Manatunga reports from Kandy

The Peace March "Voice of the unarmed civilians", coordinated by Commission for Justice, Peace & Human Development of Kandy. was held on the 17th February 2001 in Kandy City, calling on the government to
begin Peace talks with an immediate cease-fire. Prior to the Peace March a Photo Exhibition on "The cost the war" was held at the George E. De Silva Park and in the street. More than 4700 Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians attended the rally among whom were nearly 700 children from Villages, Plantations, Kandy Schools and those connected to the Rainbow Peace Program. The Religious Leaders present included the Anglican Bishop the Catholic Clergy, Buddhists Monks from Asgiriya Chapter, and from seven other Temples totaling up to 18, three Hindu Priests and a Muslim Priest.

The procession was very colourful with children carrying flags with the symbols of all religions and the captions such as "Strive to bring Peace", "war plunders human rights... " in all three languages. A moving street drama was conducted prior to the speeches by the religious leaders who emphasized on the need for peaceful means in solving problems and on the need for all religions to be united in putting pressure on both parties to the conflict to cease military action and negotiate a political settlement in a climate of peace and goodwill

2) UNITED IN TRAGEDY: The Father of a Muslim Youth who Died in a Bomb Blast on Christmas Eve Says that He is Proud...

The father of a Muslim youth who died in a Christmas Eve bomb blast in an East Java town in Indonesia says that he is proud that his son died for peace and humanity. In his hometown Mojokerto, Sukarmin said, "My son sacrificed himself for other people's safety."

Sukarmin said that his 25-year-old son Riyanto was assigned by the Nahdlatul Ulema Multipurpose Civilian Troops (Banser NU) to help maintain security and order in Mojokerto, 650 kilometers east of Jakarta, on Dec. 24. Riyanto happened to be present when the bomb was found on the street in front of a church where a Christmas Eve service was underway. The bomb exploded when he tried to remove it.

"His body was severed to pieces and his head was cut off (by the blast)," Sukarmin said. "He died at the church but not only for the church. He sacrificed for peace and security of the whole people of Mojokerto," said the father with pride. "May his death be a reminder to all religions in this country not to allow themselves to be used by certain people or groups to fight against one another," said Sukarmin.

3) "CONCERNED WOMEN ORGANISATION" : Moslem, Protestant and Catholic Women Get Organised to Desist Violence in Maluku : report from Crisis Centre

The "Concerned Women Organisation" was conceived as an expression of some Moluccan women's concern in relation to the seemingly unending conflict which was and has been going on in the Moluccas since Januari 1999. The idea of such organisation was launched by Sister Francesco Moens FDNSC. The first meeting was held in the "Rinamakana" aula, Batumeja, Ambon, on Augusts 7, 1999. On that occasion Vice Governor Mrs. Paula Renyaan-Bataona suggested to call it "Gerakan Perempuan Peduli" = "Concerned Women Organisation". This meeting included delegates from Moslem, Protestant and Catholic side.

It was decided upon that it would be first of all a Moral Movement with the mission to "Stop the Fighting and the Violence" (menghentikan Pertikaian dan ekerasan). So we, Moslem, Protestant and Catholic Women, in close cooperation, agree and are determined to make the people of the Moluccas realize that violence will not solve any contrariety. On the contrary, violence only produces more violence and will only effectuate escalation of the conflict. In response to the fervent longing of everybody, most of all the women and children, for security, safety and peace, the goals of this Organisation was formulated as follows:

1. Stop the violence and the fighting.
2. Effectuate various activities (formation/guidance in both
spiritual and material/econo-mic fields) in close cooperation, in order to pave the road to reconciliation.
3. Carry out reconciliation programs between the opposing factions in society.
4. Insist upon the maintaining c.q. restoring of human rights of women and children.In this scope meanwhile have been carried out various programs, among others:

1. Be united in prayer every day; if not locally, at least coming together in mind and heart.
2. Proffering the Women's Voice and the Children's Scream to the Governor, being witnessed also by other high government authorities (this was done twice, both by the christians and by the moslems).
3. Spreading and handing out 4000 small banners and small posters on which the text: "STOP THE FIGHTING AND THE VIOLENCE"
4. Socialisation of the Women's Voice and the Children's Scream via local Radio, TV and newspapers.
5. Urging to put a stop to the defiling of one another's religion and
ethnic roots.
6. Discussion with the Governor.
7. Discussions with Protestant and Catholic Church leaders.
8. Discussion with the Town's Legislative Council
9. Corroborating the workability of the "Concerned Women" in matters of stopping the Conflict and Violence by meetings with military and police wives' organisations.
10. Trying to influence public opinion and alertness via mass media.
11. Training of female volunteers in the fields of guidance and counseling.
12. Training of female volunteers in the field of formation of youngsters.
13. Guidance for youngsters of each of the three communities.
14. Formation activities for women in the refugee camps.
15. Requesting the world by means of letters and e-mail to take a clear stance in matters of violence and human rights in the Moluccas.
16. On July 19 we sent an urgent letter to the President and four Cabinet Ministers, the Chiefs of Army and Police in Jakarta with a carbon copy to the Governor, the Police and Army Chief Commanders in Ambon, requesting evacuation en masse of all christians from the island of Ambon, when jihad troops together with military persons attacked the christians most savagely and we estimated that all of us
would be driven into the sea.
17. Taking part in workshops and complying with invitations from local NGOs and other organisations and bodies that are concerned about the violence and the conflict and that try to cope with both women's and children's traumas.
18. Confidential / private meetings with traumatized women.
19. Providing aid to refugees in situations of emergency
20. Publishing the bulletin "Ina Tabaus".
21. In cooperation with other women's organisations, organizing "cheap market" activities.
22. Special guidance for the groups of so-called "Agas" and "Lingis".
These are groups of children and youngsters that take part in combat.
Bringing the groups in mutual contact one with another.
23. Approaching the civil war-lords, both christian and moslem.

This "Concerned Women Organisation" has a board consisting of three coordinators, three secretaries, three treasurers and some members. We have a selected group of formation and guidance field workers for children, youngsters and women.

Our activities are financially supported by several donors. We feel grateful, since ?at last ?this struggle of us, women of the Moluccas, has been acknowledged and enjoys everybody's support.

Ambon, February 9, 2001

Sister Brigita Renyaan, fdnsc.

BANK ACCOUNT ?For contributions: Bank "ARTA GRAHA", Ambon, No. 070 021 5390 a/n Brigitina Renyaan (= maiden name of Sister Brigita).

4)Jakarta To Establish Human Rights Courts "Soon" (BBC/1/2/01)

Source: Tempo/31/1/01

Jakarta: Minister for Justice and Human Rights Yusril Izha Mahendra has said that the government and the DPR [House of Representatives] would soon be establishing Human Rights Courts in Indonesia.

Initially they would be set up in Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya and Ujung Pandang [Makassar]. Mahendra said this to reporters after receiving the Portuguese representative in Indonesia, Ana Martins Gomes in Jakarta on Tuesday (30 January). Gomes' visit related to training in human rights issues for the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), pubic prosecutors and judges.

5) NEWS IN BRIEF

- CHARITY GROUP OXFAM LAUNCHED ITS "Cut the Cost" campaign today to raise public awareness of the high prices charged by drug companies in the world's poorest countries.

- Almost 1 million children have been saved since 1998 though distribution of high-dose vitamin A capsules, UNICEF said today

.."It is unacceptable for any child to die as a result of deficiency in vitamin A when a high-dose capsule costing about 2 cents, given twice a year, can provide adequate protection to a child," Bellamy said (UNICEF release, 12 Feb).

- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is expected to visit South Korea next week, sources said Tuesday. Kim is expected to arrive in Seoul around Feb. 23 for a three-day visit during which he will hold a summit meeting with President Kim Dae-Jung, a Japanese source familiar with North Korean affairs said.

- Five killed in Aceh as delegates head for Geneva peace talks BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Feb 12 (AFP) -

Five people were killed in Indonesia's troubled Aceh province as government and separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) representatives on Monday began heading for a fresh round of peace talks in Switzerland, police and residents said.

- The Cambodian National Council for Children (CNCC)has issued a report indicating that as many as 19,029 street children, mainly in Phnom Penh, have received no formal education, the Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported Friday. The report said that most children are seen commonly work as scavengers, accounting for 46 percent of the street children, and beggars accounting for 18 percent. Approximately 9 percent of female street kids and 5 percent of male ones are involved in prostitution, the local newspaper in Khmer quoted CNCC as saying.

- CAMBODIA: Starving Cambodians Sell Babies

Procurers paying parents as little as .40 for each child PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- This southeast Asian country still feels the gaping loss of 1.7 million people who perished in the killing fields of dictator Pol Pot. Now, poverty is driving some Cambodians to sell their only hope to rebuild a decimated population: their children.

- Agence France-Presse in Hanoi

Authorities closed off the central highlands to outsiders yesterday as they deployed troops, helicopters and riot police to stamp out ethnic unrest.

Soldiers were deployed in the minority villages of Yok Don National Park, ... .Authorities confirmed the unrest had been more widespread than originally admitted, leading to several injuries and 20 arrests in the provincial capital Buon Me Thuot In the provincial capital of Pleiku, contingents of riot police patrolled the streets after the anger of rural ethnic minorities boiled over into four straight days of protests in the town.