Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Justice for Ruchika...Do join in!!!

Ruchika.Girhotra: Justice for Ruchika

Justice for Ruchika
Prime Minter of India
New Delhi, India.

Dear Sir:

This is an petition to serve Justice in the case of victim 14 year old girl Ruchika Girhotra who was molested and forced to commit suicide by Indian Police in 1990. http://www.facebook.com/Ruchika.Girhotra
This is to bring to your attention in which a Fourteen-year-old aspiring female tennis star Ruchika Girhotra was molested Aug 12, 1990 by Haryana Police S.P.S. Rathore. Ruchika Girhotra complained in 1990 that she was assaulted by SPS Rathore. But Mr. Rathore successfully used his influence to harass the Ruchika Girhotra's brother and father. Unable to cope with harassment imposed on her and her family, Ruchika committed suicide by consuming poison.

Shockingly, Police Inspector S.P.S. Rathore rose to become Haryana's police chief. After repeated complaints, Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court convicted Rathore in the molestation case and sentenced Rathore to just six months' imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs.1,000 ($25). Rathore was immediately granted bail by the court. Television footage shows a laughing and unrepentant Mr. Rathore following the court order.

This is a total abuse of power by Haryana Police Department along with some Politicians of the State. As the victims Ruchika's father Subhas Chander Girhotra said "This six-month punishment is not enough, it has hurt us, what kind of justice is this? We want exemplary punishment for him so that Indian children can be safe in future. My daughter is dead, but at least no other girl should meet the same fate,"

The delay of 19 years by the judiciary is outrageous. We request you to take immediate action and put this Criminal Police Chief S.P.S Rathore behind bars for the rest of his life.


Signed

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Statement of the International Coalition of NGO for an OP-ICESCR on the Occasion of the First Anniversary of the Adoption of the Optional Protocol


 


 

One Year After the Adoption of the Optional Protocol: Demand Justice NOW! Ratify to Protect all Human Rights

 

 "With the adoption of the Optional Protocol, the United Nations has now been able to come full circle on the normative architecture envisaged by the Universal Declaration. I call on all States to promptly sign and ratify this crucial new human rights instrument."

  Navanethem Pillay

 United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

  December 10th is a renowned date in human rights' history, marking the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, December 10th will also be commemorated as the first anniversary of the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The adoption of the Optional Protocol finally fulfills the Universal Declaration's aspirations for universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights, after 60 years of historical imbalance in their recognition and protection. The Optional Protocol has created the possibility for millions of people whose social and economic rights have been violated to seek redress at the international level by filing complaints before the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the United Nations' body of experts responsible for supervising the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Covenant). In addition, it will serve as an incentive to increase States' domestic compliance with ESCR obligations and expand the national adjudication of cases that involve violation of ESC rights.

 The Protocol was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 10, 2008, and was opened for signature in September 24, 2009. It requires 10 ratifications, to enter into force.  We commend the 30 countries that have so far signed the Optional Protocol:  Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Chile, Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Montenegro, Netherlands, Paraguay, Portugal, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Timor-Leste, Togo, Ukraine and Uruguay.  We now urge these countries to move expeditiously towards ratification.  We call upon all other countries to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol as soon as possible and exhort those who have not yet ratified the Covenant to do so expeditiously.

 We also make a call to the international community, including civil society and States, to ensure this important mechanism achieves widespread global support; is promptly signed and ratified by all States; and implemented in a manner that ensures full protection to victims of violations of economic, social and cultural rights.

 In order for the Optional Protocol to be meaningful to those facing these violations, it is also critical that it becomes accessible and known to civil society.  With these goals in mind the International NGO Coalition for an Optional Protocol has launched the Campaign for the Ratification and Implementation of the Optional Protocol:  "JUSTICE NOW! RATIFY TO PROTECT ALL HUMAN RIGHTS".  We invite civil society and other committed partners to join and support this Campaign.

 The right to food, water, housing, health, education, and work are central to human dignity: they are human rights that must be secured.  Often those most vulnerable to violations of these rights are individuals and communities that face other forms of discrimination such as women, indigenous peoples, migrants, ethnic minorities and others. The Optional Protocol is an essential tool towards the protection and fulfillment of the economic, social and cultural rights of all people and as such a cornerstone on the "foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world".  

 **********************************************************************************************************************

 * The NGO Coalition for an Optional Protocol is formed by more than 300 organizations and individuals from more than 60 countries working for social justice worldwide.

 *Members of the Steering Committee of the Coalition:

Amnesty International; Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), Switzerland; Community Law Centre, South Africa; FoodFirst Information and Action Network (FIAN), Germany; Inter-American Platform of Human Rights, Democracy and Development (PIDHDD), Paraguay; International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Switzerland; International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), France; International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net),United States; International Women's Rights Action Watch – Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific), Malaysia; Social Rights Advocacy Center (SRAC),  Canada

 

*Join the Campaign for Ratification to support the protection of economic, social and cultural rights worldwide!  http://www.escr-net.org/actions/actions_show.htm?doc_id=940624

 

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Human Rights for All..by Fr Cedric Prakash sj


 

Human Rights For All

Fr. Cedric Prakash, sj*

Two significant 25th anniversaries have just come and gone: the massacre of the Sikhs (in the wake of the assassination of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi), and the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which killed thousands and decimated many more. One common factor stands out in both these tragedies: those responsible have been allowed to get away with murder.

Several other incidents have continued to wound the Indian psyche, these include: the Nellie bloodbath, the Bhagalpur blindings, the cold-blooded demolition of the Babri Masjid, the Gujarat genocide, the Nandigram killings. ….All dark and sordid chapters of our country's history…The list though is endless…

In each one of these, there is a definite pattern: those at the receiving end are always the poor and the marginalized, the minorities and the powerless, the adivasis and the dalits, women and children. The situation of the Dalits in Gujarat is on our front pages. The inference is obvious: a fairly significant section of our society is at the mercy of others. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that there are large sections in society who prefer to remain silent and who would rather not get involved, either due to fear or sheer selfishness.

Until the 'human rights of all' are respected and nurtured, no society can call itself developed. The benchmark of any progress is not the material prosperity of some, but rather if all are able to live in an environment where justice, peace and the common good flourish. The 'cosmeticization' of Ahmedabad should never be at the cost of the slum-dwellers of the city.

The world's focus is just now on Copenhagen, where several have gathered to grapple with key issues related to climatic change. However, unless we realize and act on overconsumption and the wanton destruction of our natural resources, we cannot expect dramatic changes. Besides, in countries such as ours, the growing concentration of wealth among a few is directly related to the escalating impoverishment of the many. The challenge then, is to address the needs of the majority and to prevent the greed of a few from increasing.

It is yet another anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The choices ahead are becoming fewer. We all need to live in a society which is more just, peaceful, equitable and humane. Respecting the rights of all, defending them and nurturing them, is perhaps the only way out. 


Saturday, December 05, 2009

December 6th.....1956 and 1992


December 6th ....1956 and 1992!!!.........
 
A REMINDER OF TWO DEATHS
 
December 6th ..once again ...the death Anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar ..the Architect of  the Indian Constitution....A Constitution based on the principles of JUSTICE, LIBERTY, EQUALITY, and FRATERNITY!
 
December 6th...once again... the destruction of the Babri Masjid ...when Justice, Liberty ,Equality and Fraternity were thrown to the winds!!
 
Will TRUTH eventually triumph???


MEMORANDUM To PM Concerned Citizens of Gujarat for Prosecution of architect of demolition Of Babri Masjid




 

Movement for Secular Democracy

C/o Narmad- Meghani Library, Natraj Railway Crossing, Meethakhali, Ahmedabad- 380006

Ph.No- 079 26404418

 

Date- 5-12-09

MEMORANDUM

 

Subject- Concerned Citizens of Gujarat for Prosecution of architect of

 demolition Of Babri

 

To,

Mr. Manmohan Singh,

The Prime Minister of India,

New Delhi.

 

Sir,

 

After 17 long years and over 4000 hearings  Justice  Liberhan has submitted his  report on the demolition of Babri Masjid and it  has been placed  on the table of  the House of the Parliament  The report has named  68  important figures responsible for the demolition. It is a matter of concern that  as there is no specific  measures mentioned in  the Action Taken Report(ATR) which was  placed before the house of Parliament  has  encouraged  the architects of  demolition of  Babri  to vilify the atmosphere of the country taking advantage of the non  prosecution.

 

The central thrust of the report expose   the shameless betrayal and desecration   of the Constitution and it's basic Principles by the major ruling parties and cannot be ignored  or put aside by legal squabbling and finding some loop holes here and there.

 

 As they say justice delayed is justice denied. However, even after this long wait those indicted by the  Commission's findings are , duly  prosecuted and punished, it will be a great , though belated service to our  wounded nation and it's torn secular fabric.

We the concerned citizens of Gujarat urge you to take immediate steps in this regard and hand over the case to CBI and open Fast track Courts with out delay to bring a logical end to years long judicial feud.

 

 Thanking You

 Yours

 Prakash N. Shah,

Convener,

Movement for Secular Democracy

Date- 5-12-09

The Signatures of the concerned leading citizens

 

Mr. Chunibhai Vaidya

Ms. Ilaben Pathak

Ms. Mallika Sarabhai

Mr. Girish Patel

Mr. Mukul Sinha

Dr. J. Bandukwala

Mr. Gautam Thaker

Mr. Rajni Dave

Mr. Indukumar Jani

Mr. Uttam Parmar

Fr. Cedric Prakash

Mr. Harinesh Pandya

Mr. Digant Oza

Mr. Manishi Jani

Mr. Dhiru Mistry

Mr. Mansoor Saleri

Mr. Rohit Shukla

Mr. Jagdish Shah

Ms. Saroop Dhruv

Mr. Hiren Gandhi

Mr. Chinu Shrinivasan

Mr. Dankesh Oza

Mr. Mahadev Vidrohi

Mr. Dilip Chandulal

Mr. Johannes Manjrekar

Mr. Bharat Mehta

Ms. Renu Khanna

Mr. Poonjabhai A. Patel

Mr. Ratilal Desai

Mr. Chandrakant Nai

Mr. Ratilal Dave

Mr. Chandrakant M. Trivedi

Mr. Omprakash Giri

Mr. Bharatsinh Zala

Mr. Ganpatbhai Rathod

Mr. Amrish Patel

Mr. Prafull Desai

Mr. Rahul Mehta

Mr. Pravin Pandya

Mr. Ashok Gupta

Mr. Soukat Ali Indori

Mr. Ishaq Chinwala

Mr. Vinod Pandya

Mr. Babubhai Desai

Mr. Kishorebhai Desai

Mr. Jagdish Patel

Ms. Damayantiben Parekh

Ms. Meenakshi Joshi

Mr. Jayesh Patel

Mr. Tapan Dasgupta

Mr. Mukesh Semwal

Ms. Bharti Parmar

Mr. Bhavik Raja

Mr. Satyendra Singh

Mr. Dwarikanath Rath

 

 

 

 

Copy - 

Mr. P.Chidambaram,

Union HomeMinister of  India, New Delhi.

 


Thursday, December 03, 2009

[ReachIndia] Resolution of Remembrance: Bhopal Remembered on the 25th Anniversary of the World’s Worst Chemical Disaster


Dear Friends,
 
Today, Dec 3rd, 2009, marks the 25th Anniversary of the World's Worst Chemical Disaster in Bhopal, India, where noxious white clouds of methyl isocyanate gas killed thousands within days of the incident. More than two decades on, Hospital records show that 20,000 people died and almost 600,000 people were left with irreparable physical damage but Justice was not served yet.
 
Survivors and supporters mark the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal industrial disaster today with demands that the people responsible for tens of thousands of deaths be finally brought to justice. Survivors are also fighting for their basic rights: Clean drinking water and healthy living environment which is still elusive to get from the Indian Government. Nearly 200 direct actions is taking place today around the World – for Bhopal, and for a toxic-free future everywhere – and we request you to join in and take action.
 
Today we request you to Read and sign Resolution of Remembrance (text below): We shall never forget the thousands of people who were killed, directly and indirectly injured, and those who continue to be affected by the consequences of the worst industrial event to ever affect humanity and We demand justice for the victims and survivors of Bhopal among others.
 
 
We request that you spread the message far and wide and join hands to ensure that 'No More Bhopal' happens anywhere in the world.
 
More information:
 
 
 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 

Resolution of Remembrance

Bhopal Remembered on the 25th Anniversary of the World's Worst Chemical Disaster

Atlanta Area Human Rights Groups Unite in Remembrance
on the 25th Anniversary of the Bhopal Disaster, December 3rd, 2009

December 3, 2009

WHEREAS, On December 3rd 1984, several tons of Methyl iscocyanate (MIC) and other poisonous gases leaked from the Union Carbide facility in Bhopal exposing more than 500,000 people to the chemicals.

WHEREAS, Estimates of those who died within the first week of the disaster range from 3,800 to 8,000. The continued effects of the exposure have resulted in 20,000-25,000 deaths in the last 25 years.

WHEREAS, Tens of thousands of people, families and children still suffer from the exposure today. 

WHEREAS, Tons of hazardous chemicals that Union Carbide left around its facility have seeped into the ground and local drinking water. Even today, the site is said to be contaminated by "thousands of metric tons of toxic chemicals including lead and mercury."

WHEREAS, Compensation for victims families and health services to the survivors are shameful and inadequate and do not represent a just outcome of the negligence of Union Carbide.

WHEREAS, Dow Chemical acquired Union Carbide in 2001 and refuses to take the responsibilities of Carbide's liabilities in Bhopal, including the clean-up of the contamination and effects of the ongoing exposure to the contamination.

WHEREAS, An outstanding warrant and criminal charges are still pending against the former CEO of Union Carbide, Warren Anderson, and former Union Carbide India Limited employees.

WHEREAS, We recognize that many strides have been made and the disaster in Bhopal has not been forgotten due to pressures from the survivors, their supporters and activits in Bhopal.

WHEREAS, We are in awe of the courage and perseverance of the survivors and activists who continue to be dedicated to the cause of justice in Bhopal and keep the focus on the people suffering from this continuing disaster. Their struggles, marches, fasts and tours that have also brought survivors to Atlanta on two occasions, continue to inspire us.

WHEREAS, We also recognize that tangible efforts to bring justice are needed to begin to reconcile the events of 25 years ago and since, and is a necessary step toward healing.

WHEREAS, Reconciliation can come only when Justice is achieved.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

We shall never forget the thousands of people who were killed, directly and indirectly injured, and those who continue to be affected by the consequences of the worst industrial event to ever affect humanity.

We remember with reverence all who have sought justice for the last 25 years.

We demand justice for the victims and survivors of Bhopal.

We call for the demands of the victims to be met by the corporation (Dow Chemical/Union Carbide) that is responsible for the disaster without any hindrance from the US or Indian government.

We call for the demands of the victims to be met by the local and national Indian government, including their right to land and water free of contamination.

We call for all governments to implement and have the right to implement effective mechanisms to protect humanity from the potential of such a disaster by implementing unequivocal laws that prohibit exposing communities to dangers presented by industrial (global or local) production of materials and energy.

We demand that the accountability of global corporations must extend globally.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we shall be mindful that justice, reconciliation, and healing of those affected shall be our overall humanitarian goal.

 
 
--
Sonika
 
"We're not even handed. We have our own agenda - that of political engagement... to put an end to the structural violence that keeps the poor poor." - Binayak Sen
 
Order 2010 calendars at
 
 

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