Articles of/on/by Lenin & Shruti: 2009

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/a-petition-against-torture-in-india

No to torture, establishment of rule of law LIFE & MORE NEWS MyNews.in:

No to torture, establishment of rule of law

Dr.Lenin Raghuvanshi 19/6/2009 8:57:07 PM(IST)

Once the first Prime Minister of India Mr. Jawahar Lal Nehru said "Police is standing on quadrilateral from where it can protect and also violates human rights.” But it seems that his wordings is of no use in todays world as there is an enormous increase in police torture in past few decades.

It is apparent that police is the biggest agency for the establishment of rule of law and human rights. However police torture is prohibited under section 330 -331 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). Forceful approbation of crime by police under section 161 C.R.P.C. that is not evidence under section 26 of evidence act; if the statement is not given before the magistrate, then question arise why police is taking the hold of torture?

The main reasons of torture are feudal and colonial structure of police, scarcity of resources in the police department, political intervention and no investigation agency apart from police department which based on the scientific and impartial. Feudal society itself acknowledges the torture.

Definition of torture of United Nation Convention Against Torture Article (1): For the purposes of this Convention, torture means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.

(Please visit: http://www.hrweb.org/legal/cat.html)

Amended section 176 (A) of C.R.P.C. have provision for the investigation in the each case of custodial death, however this section does not implicate in any case of entire U.P and mutually under section 97 of C.R.P.C. magistrate may issue search –warrant if any person is illegally taken in the custody. Honorable Supreme Court issues essential guideline for the detention in the case of D.K Basu Vs West Bengal, which is mandatory for police to follow. In the encounter killing, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC,www.nhrc.nic.in) directed for the FIR on the police also and the fair investigation by independent agency. NHRC also directed to send the videography of post mortem report in case of custodial death.

There is a provision of interim relief as compensation under section 19 of Human Right Act. Article 21 of Indian Constitution gave rights to live with dignity, which is against the basic principle of torture.

If we look on the statistics, mostly poor, marginalized, dalits, minority and backward were being tortured. However big mafia and or anti –social element are not victimize of this, exceptionally one or two cases. Only common people are panic with the fear of police. Police jointly with the influenced criminal established the rule of lord through the corruption based discriminatory practices. So, no rule of law can be established without preventing police torture. Lets come together to enlighten the struggle to stop torture and establish rule of law.

What you can do?

1.Protest on 26th June, street play, discussions and to send the letter to the Prime Minister, press release in the leading newspaper and remit your activities to us.
2.Indian Government signed the 1997 UNCAT; still it has not been ratified. Send letter to the Prime Minister and President of India put pressure through organizing demonstration, protest, discussion, rally for the ratification of United National Convention against Torture (UNACT) ,1997.
3.To object on the torture happening in proximity and inform it to National Human Rights Commission, Faridkot house, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.
4.To write the letter to the editor against torture.
5.To popularize about torture and its form, police torture reckoning the evidence related to facts and remitted through the newsletter to the commission, Government and PVCHR.
6.To inform about the Honorable Supreme Court orders and guideline, laws and international declaration and convention.
7.To implement report of police commission and make pressure for the formation of investigation committee
8.To make pressure on the Government for providing resources to police department for doing establishment of rule of law.

Friday, June 19, 2009

::: 5·18기념재단 ::: 재단사업 > 광주인권상 > 역대 수상자 보기

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Facebook | Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi

Legal awareness of women at Rath,Hamirpur in Bundelkhand of UP on 13 June 2008

Legal awareness of women at Rath,Hamirpur in Bundelkhand of UP on 13 June 2008 organized by Sumitra Sansthan with support of National Women Commission,New Delhi

Shruti recieving the Monument in honor

Legal awareness of women at Rath,Hamirpur in Bundelkhand of UP on 13 June 2008

Particpants at legal awareness of women at Rath,Hamirpur in Bundelkhand of UP on 13 June 2008

Shuti at stage alongwith others local leader

K.K.Chaturvedi,Founder-Sumitra Sansthan,Hamirpur

Inaguration of legal awareness of women at Rath,Hamirpur in Bundelkhand of UP on 13 June 2008

Friday, June 12, 2009

More from Remschied part 1

Dr. Lenin at Rotengen Highschool,Germany

Dr. Lenin at IKEA Kindergarden,Remschied,Germany

Dr. Lenin briefed about PVCHRs' activities

Thursday, June 11, 2009

More from Remschied 2

Dr. Lenin with kids of Kindergarden at Remschied

At Remschied,Germany

Lenin and Helma with mayor of Remschied and sposners of Baghawanala school

Helma,Mayor and lenin
http://picasaweb.google.de/frankhoffmann1/BesuchVonLeninInRemscheid

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Local resident pay homage on the death anniversary of malnourished child Shahbuddin OPINION NEWS MyNews.in:

Local resident pay homage on the death anniversary of malnourished child Shahbuddin OPINION NEWS MyNews.in:

Local resident pay homage on the death anniversary of malnourished child Shahbuddin

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi/Ms. Shruti 2/6/2009 12:20:32 PM(IST)

On 31st May, 09 the resident of Dhannipur pay homage to the martyr Shahbuddin on his death anniversary following to their own religion belief. Previous year on 17th May, 08 Mr. Mahmudul Hasan, Mr. Hayat Muhammad, and Mohd. Sagir Bhai member of Bunkar Dastakar Adhikar Manch took 14 malnourished children Shiv Prasad Gupt regional hospital who were between 4 months to 3 ½ year. Only Sahabuddin was admitted and other children were discharged by the doctor. After long struggle Shahbuddin was defeated on 31st May, 09. http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2008/2880/

After the death of Sahabuddin administrative officer (District Magistrate, Chief Medical Officer) came and investigate the fact and interact with local people and assured them and on 1st June, 08 other children were admitted in district hospital only for one week.

http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2008/2889/

The people organization and media is continuously making administration aware about the nastiest condition and also doing advocacy for improvement of the economic condition through the availability of basic amenities and employment. However the administration is more interested in highlighting the weavers children are not suffering from malnutrition but from other disease rather than taking some positive aspect to improve the condition. The ICDS centre is activate for the development of children up to 5 years and due to their negligence children are suffering from malnutrition. Administration gaze the death of six children one by one.

The representative from both religion (Hindu & Muslim) unites at one platform under the banner of Bunkar dastkar Adhikar manch, a non -political trade union of weavers and artisans in Varanasi and pledge now no children will die due to malnutrition and notify the responsible authorities their protest will continue until they are doing negligence.

After the death of the Shahbuddin 104 children were malnourished identified in which 64 children were suffering severely malnourished until and unless no preventive measures taken. A team of 10 officers came after the punitive action taken against ICDS worker, BDO and CDPO on the report submitted by the investigation team of three including chief Medical officer and they did not interact with anyone neither did the investigation of fact.http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/05/punitive-action-against-officials-in.html

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Notice to anganbadi in malnutrition case - Varanasi - Cities - The Times of India

Meeting of Dr. Lenin with Mr. Otto Tausig,a famous film actor

Dr. Lenin met with Mr. Otto Tausig at Vienna on 28 June 2009.Mr. Tausig came seven years before in eastern UP and visited PVCHR office also.
See the link:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Tausig
http://www.fandango.com/ottotausig/filmography/p198017

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Indian rights champion condemns gov’t over silence

http://nereporter.blogspot.com/2009/05/indian-rights-champion-condemns-govt.html

Indian rights champion condemns gov’t over silence
________________________________________
New Delhi – An Indian human rights advocacy group on Wednesday condemned Burma’s military rulers for conducting a trial against Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Lenin Raghuvanshi, director of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights, a grassroots human rights advocacy group based in India’s Uttar Pradesh, said the charge against Aung San Suu Kyi over the visit of an uninvited guest is discriminating and inhumane.

He also condemned India, Burma’s giant neighbor, for remaining silent over the Insein Prison trial against the recipient of India’s prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding.

Raghuvanshi said that instead of seeking to build a good relationship with the military junta at all costs, the Indian government should pressure the regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi.

“India should support Aung San Suu Kyi,” said Raghuvanshi, a human rights champion who himself received the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights from South Korea.

But, he added that India may be preoccupied with its own internal affairs, including the forming of a new coalition government after the month-long parliamentary elections.

“India itself has internal problems such as Kashmir and problems in the Northeast. So they [probably] don’t want to comment,” he said.

Raghuvanshi said that as one of the regional economic powers in Asia, India’s interest in Burma is based on economics, one factor making the Indian government reluctant in condemning the Burmese junta and urging the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

“They only want to exploit the resources from the country and the military junta is benefiting from them,” he explained.

“For governments in an international relationship Burma might not be a big issue, but in financial relationships they [India] get a lot of benefit from the junta,” he added.

In recent years India and Burma have increased bilateral trade and agreed on development projects, including Sittwe port and the Kaladan multi-modal project.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, bilateral trade between India and Burma for fiscal year 2007-08 stood at USD 901.3 million – with Burmese exports to India accounting for USD 727.85 million.

Though the international community has voiced its outrage over the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, India, the world’s largest democracy, has remained silent.

Burma’s military regime charged the Nobel Peace Laureate for breaching her terms of detention by harboring a U.S. citizen, John William Yettaw, who allegedly swam to her lakeside home on May 3 and stayed there for two nights.

The charge has sparked international criticism. The United Nations, United States, Canada, Australia, Israel, European Union and Asian countries such as Japan, Pakistan and ASEAN members have all issued press statements expressing their concern over Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial and calling for her unconditional and immediate release.

But India, which supported the U.N.’s critical position in the wake of 2007’s Saffron Revolution, has made no noise over the ongoing trial against the Burmese democracy icon.

Dr. Tint Swe, Information Minister of the Burmese government in exile – National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) – said India, which is focused on economic interests, could be using the recently concluded national elections as a good excuse for keeping quiet.

“We also don’t expect too much criticism from India on Burma, since India has a foreign policy that doesn’t care which government rules Burma. It will try to establish good relations with any government for its own national interest,” he added.

On Monday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs told Mizzima in a telephone interview that the foreign ministry has issued no statement or press release so far on Aung San Suu Kyi’s case. And there was no elaboration on whether there would be any such comment at any time in the future.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Chief Minister of Gujarat under investigation for massacre of more than a thousand Muslims

http://new.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15107#

The Supreme Court sets up a commission to verify the responsibility of Narendra Modi in the violence against the Islamic minority in 2002. A polemical reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which considers the governor of Gujarat a candidate for Indian prime minister. The Chief Minister, a leading figure of the new party, accuses: "it is a conspiracy of the Congress party to put me behind bars."

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - A special commission of investigation to verify the responsibility of Narendra Modi (in the photo), Chief Minister of Gujarat, in the massacres that rocked the state in 2002, causing the death of more than a thousand people, most of them Muslim.

On April 27, the Supreme Court made public the names of the members of the commission, which will be headed by R.K. Raghavan, former head of the Central Bureau of Investigation, who will be assisted by the lawyers Arijit Pasayat and Asok Kumar Ganguly. Their task is that of clarifying the involvement of Modi and 50 other people, local politicians and government officials, in the clashes seven years ago.

In 2002, a conflict of an ethnic religious nature caused an undetermined number of deaths in Gujarat - some sources say there were 2,000 victims - and 150,000 refugees. The violence broke out after the death of 60 Hindus, during an attack on a train in the city of Godhra, presumed to have been carried out by an Islamic group.

Modi, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Chief Minister of the state at the time, is accused in particular of being involved in the killing of a member of parliament, but for much of public opinion the leading exponent of the nationalist Hindu party should also respond for the tacit approval of the rioters, and the inertia of the authorities in helping the victims of the massacres.

Jesuit Fr. Cedrick Prakash, director of the Prashant center for human rights, justice, and peace, interprets the decision of the Supreme Court as "a triumph of justice" putting an end to seven years of waiting. "Obviously, there are many in Gujarat society who would best want the horrors of 2002 to be forgotten," says Fr. Prakash. However, one has to realize and accept that when a whole section of one's population is brutalized and decimated, things will never be the same again."

For the Jesuit priest, the coincidence of the institution of the commission and the 60th anniversary of India's constitution is a good sign, because it indicates that "we can proudly live in a land where 'Satyameva Jayate' [editor's note: India's motto, meaning 'Only the truth prevails'] are not only words that come out from our lips."

The decision of the Supreme Court did not fail to cause controversy among the parties in the grip of an election that should decide who will lead the country over the next five years.

Modi is a star of the BJP, and before the elections underway many pointed to him as a Hindu alternative to prime minister Manmohan Singh, leader of India's governing National Congress Party. Modi himself has commented on the news of the institution of the commission as "a conspiracy of the Congress party to put me behind bars."

Lenin Raghuvanshi, director of the popular committee for the protection of human rights, tells AsiaNews that "Hindu fundamentalists will flourish with this type of verdict of the Supreme Court against Narendra Modi during the election time." But the institution of the commission "proves that the genocide of Muslim minority happened in Gujarat with the nexus of state government."

Monday, May 11, 2009

Case of Lenin highlighted again in Report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights

Report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
defenders, Margaret Sekaggya
Addendum
Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received

Please see Link:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/defenders/docs/A.HRC.10.12.Add.1.pdf

Threat and attack on Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi highlighted at Page 244, Page 245, Page 251 as follows:

India
Urgent appeal
1179. On 13 December 2007, the then Special Representative, together with the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, sent an urgent appeal to the government concerning Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and Mr Manoj Kumar. Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and Mr Manoj Kumar are convener and staff member of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state, respectively. Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi was the subject of a joint urgent appeal sent by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, together with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on 16 August 2005.

1180. According to information received, on 4 December 2007, from approximately 4.45pm (Indian Standard Time), Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi reportedly received anonymous threatening phone calls on his mobile phone from callers warning him that he would be shot and killed if the PVCHR continued to report cases of deaths from starvation and malnutrition in the Uttar Pradesh state. The callers also informed him that if the PVCHR continued its activities, staff members were to be charged with fabricated charges and the PVCHR itself forced to close down. There had been national media coverage of the death of a three-year-old boy from starvation on 25 November 2007 that was reported by the PVCHR. Its staff member, Mr. Manoj Kumar, working in the Ambedkarnagar district where the boy lived, has reportedly also been receiving threats.

1181. Concern was expressed for the physical and psychological integrity of Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and Mr. Manoj Kumar. Further concern was expressed that the aforementioned threats against Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and Mr. Manoj Kumar may be directly related to the human rights activities of the PVCHR, in particular its work to defend the right to food in India.

Letter of allegations

1182. On 14 February 2008, the then Special Representative sent a letter of allegation to the Government concerning Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and other staff members of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR). Dr Raghuvanshi, in his capacity as Convener of the PVCHR, has focused on the right to food and on victims of death due to starvation. He is also a member of the District Vigilance Committee on Bonded Labour in the State of Uttar Pradesh. Dr Raghvanshi was previously been the subject of a joint urgent appeal sent by the Special Representative, together with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related intolerance and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, on 16 August 2005, and of a joint urgent appeal sent by the Special Representative, together with the Special Rapporteur on the right to food on 13 December 2007.

1183. According to information received, on 23 January 2008, Dr Raghuvanshi reportedly appeared before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court 1 to present his application for bail, which was accepted as the Court ruled that there was no reason for him to be detained. Furthermore, the Magistrate ruled that the complaint filed against Dr.Raghuvanshi on 9 December 2007 by the village head of Belwa in the Badagaon administrative district, Mr Rajendar Thripathi, for “anti-state activities” could not be registered due to insufficient evidence. Dr Raghuvanshi, along with Ms Anupam Nagavanshi and Ms Shruti Nagavanshi, also staff members of the PVCHR, have been charged with “statements conducive to public mischief”, under Section 505(b) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. However, the Court reportedly ordered that they are not to be arrested in relation to these charges until further notice. Due to questions regarding the procedure that was followed in this case, the Magistrate has ordered the Phulpur police to produce all documents relevant to this case before 29 January 2008.

1184. As previously noted in the urgent appeal of 13 December 2007, Dr Raghuvanshi and the staff of the PVCHR received several threats between 4 and 6 December 2007. It is alleged that Dr Raghuvanshi was also the subject of intimidation by Mr Rajendar Thripathi and his associates on several occasions.

1211. On 23 May 2008, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government concerning Mr Lenin Raghuvanshi, Convener of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) in Varanasi, State of Uttar Pradesh. Mr Lenin Raghuvanshi has focused his work on the right to food and on victims of death due to starvation and he is also a member of the District Vigilance Committee on Bonded Labour.
1212. Mr Lenin Raghuvanshi was previously the subject of a letter of allegation sent by the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders on 14 February 2008, as well as of a joint urgent appeal sent by the former Special Representative, together with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related intolerance and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, on 16 August 2005, and of a joint urgent appeal sent by the former Special Representative, together with the Special Rapporteur on the right to food on 13 December 2007. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders regrets that no reply to date to any of the three communications has been received and as such, would greatly appreciate a response from Your Excellency’s Government as soon as possible.
1213. According to information received, on 26 April 2008, Mr Lenin Raghuvanshi began to receive abusive and threatening phone calls, which warned him to end the PVCHR’s work in the district of Varanasi. On 18 May, he received a phone call, thought to be from a powerful member of a criminal group in Uttar Pradesh, which threatened that if the PVCHR did not stop working for the Musahar community, a Dalit group subject to caste-based discrimination, men hired by upper caste feudal lords would raze Musahar ghettos and villages in Varanasi. The caller also questioned Mr Lenin Raghuvanshi about the funding of the PVCHR, in what is believed to be a warning to the PVCHR to pay protection money to local mafias.
1214. Concern was expressed that the threats and intimidation directed against Mr Lenin Raghuvanshi may be directly linked to his work and that of the PVCHR in defense of human rights, in particular the rights of Dalit communities in the State of Uttar Pradesh.
In view of these threats, serious concern was expressed for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr Lenin Raghuvanshi and the members of the PVCHR.

Response from the Government

1215. In a letter dated 28 January 2009, the Government responded to the urgent appeal of 23 May 2008. The allegations contained in the communication were examined by the Government, which informed that a complaint was lodged in Thana Cant, Varanasi, following which a chargesheet was sent to the court on 21 July 2008 against accused Bulbul Singh alias Uday Narayan Singh. In the meantime, necessary instructions were issued to the local police station to provide adequate security to Dr Lenin.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

South Korea: 2009 Gwangju Human Rights Award to Burmese activist

http://www.sinlung.com/globe-scanner/burma-in-web/gwangju-human-rights-award-to-burmese-activist.html

http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=18111

South Korea: 2009 Gwangju Human Rights Award to Burmese activist

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 28/4/2009 12:46:56 AM(IST)

The situation regarding democracy and human rights in Myanmar/Burma remains dire. At this very moment, many pro-democracy activists are locked up in freezing cold cells. The international community has put pressure on Burma’s military junta, taking consistent interest in the nation’s pro-democracy movement. Despite its efforts, some countries around the world have turned a deaf ear to the issue due to conflicts of interest. After the military junta crushed the “Saffron Revolution” with brutal force, the UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari visited Burma, meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, a democratic leader of the country, in 2008. However, such efforts to demonstrate the international community’s commitment to the region have been to no avail, and have only led to further disappointment with Burma.

Born in the Burmese capital of Yangon in 1962, Min Ko Naing organized the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), a nationwide student union, in 1988. Later, he was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for triggering the “8888 Uprising”. After being imprisoned for 15 years, he was released from prison and continued his pro-democracy resistance. Finally he was re-arrested and sentenced to 65 years imprisonment for organizing a demonstration which gave rise to the Saffron Uprising. He is currently serving this sentence.

According to an international human rights watchdog, the number of prisoners of conscience who, like Min Ko Naing, have been arrested and imprisoned for engaging in protests and anti-government activities, amounts to about 2,000. In the aftermath of the devastating natural disaster which hit Burma in May, 2007, the international community tried to reach out to the afflicted country. Burma’s military junta, however, decided to reject this helping hand. To make matters worse, the authoritarian regime arrested and detained protesters, killing at least several hundred people, including foreign journalists, involved in the nationwide demonstration driven by saffron-robed Buddhist monks.

The 2009 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee has therefore chosen Min Ko Naing to be this year’s prizewinner. Min Ko Naing and his colleagues have devoted themselves to Burma’s democratization, and it is their devotion that we hope to remember and share as we commemorate the May 18 Gwangju Uprising. The committee sincerely desires that Min Ko Naing and other political prisoners be released as soon as possible, and hopes that democracy will truly take root in this country.

2009 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee

Chairperson:

Moon Young-hee, Vice President of Korea Democracy Foundation

Committee Members:

Kim Chil-jun, Secretary-General of National Human Rights Commission

Yoon Gwang-jang, Chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

Lee Jung-hyun, Korea National Assembly

Cha Sung-hwan, Director of Pusan Democratic Memorial Association

Profile at Civil Courage Prize:

http://www.civilcourageprize.org/honoree-2005.htm

Min Ko Naing is a leading figure in the Burmese pro-democracy movement. As one of the original founders and past chairman of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), his stature as political dissident has been widely regarded as second only to that of Nobel Prize laureate and National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Min Ko Naing — a pseudonym meaning "Conqueror of Kings" — was imprisoned for over fifteen years by the Burmese government, following his 1989 arrest for coordination of non-violent resistance.

As a student at the University of Rangoon in the late 1980s, Min Ko Naing secretly founded the ABFSU along with other student activists. Civil unrest erupted in 1988 in response to worsening economic conditions under a martial dictatorship. Min Ko Naing emerged as a leader of the nationwide non-violent uprising, in which millions marched throughout Burma demanding democracy and an end to decades-long military rule.

The Burmese army responded to the uprising with violent suppression, killing hundreds of student demonstrators. The military reasserted power under a new government, called the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). Martial law decrees were issued, including a ban on any criticism of the military and any public gathering of more than five people. Min Ko Naing went underground, where he continued his organizing work for the student unions. Reportedly, he was offered sanctuary with the armed resistance, the All Burma Student Democratic Front (ABSDF), but refused. Min Ko Naing has always maintained a commitment to non-violence in the resistance movement.

After months of evading the Burmese Military Intelligence, Min Ko Naing was arrested, along with many other student activists, on March 23, 1989. He was sentenced to a 20-year prison term, which was later commuted to 10 years under a general amnesty. He was kept in prison a full five years after his 10-year sentence had been completed.

Min Ko Naing was severely tortured during the early stages of his detention. He was forced to stand in water for two weeks until he collapsed, leaving his left foot totally numb. For most of his imprisonment he was held in complete solitary confinement. In 1998, he was moved from Insein Prison near Rangoon to Sittwe Prison, 590 miles away, making it extremely difficult for his family to visit him during the last six years of his sentence. In the mid-1990s, Min Ko Naing was visited by both a U.S. congressman, as well as a U.N. special human rights investigator.

In response to international pressure, the military released Min Ko Naing from prison on November 20, 2004. He is currently recovering with his elderly parents and siblings in Rangoon. He has asked that his portion of the Prize money be donated to a worthy not-for-profit organization.

Min Ko Naing was represented at the 11 October ceremony by Bo Kyi, a long-time colleague and founder of the assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Bo Kyi was arrested with Min Ko Naing on March 23, 1989, though he was able to escape. He became a central executive committee member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions. In 1990, however, he was imprisoned by the regime for three years, suffering torture and forced to do hard labor. Upon his release, he refused to become an informer and was imprisoned again, this time for five years. In 1999 he fled to the Thai-Burma border where he founded the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an organization that documents and disseminates information on the situation of political prisoners in Burma.

Profile at JOhn Humphrey Prize:
http://www.dd-rd.ca/site/humphrey_award/index.php?id=1411&subsection=past_winners

Min Ko Naing is a legendary figure of the student movement in Burma. During the 1988 nation-wide democratic uprising, his statements, speeches and poems aroused the democratic aspirations of the people. Viewed as a threat by the military regime, Min Ko Naing was arrested in 1989 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. His last known contact with the international community was in 1995, when the UN Special Rapporteur on Burma was permitted to visit him in detention.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Shruti and Dr. Lenins' work in India Todays

India Today Magazine published an article recognizing the work of Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and Ms Shruti Nagvanshi in its latest edition published in April, 2009 under "Spirit of India: Youth Special." Having cited one bonded labour case the magazine narrated the efforts made by the couple for eliminating untouchability, caste based discrimination. Their work has been acknowledged at international level through Gwanju human rights award from South Korea and ACHA peace star award from USA. the magazine furteher explained that the couple are focusing their attention at the plight of weavers in varanasi. to see the pulication kindly follow the link :
for english : http://emagazine.digitaltoday.in/IndiaTodayEnglish/20042009/Home.aspx
for hindi : http://emagazine.digitaltoday.in/IndiaTodayHindi/20042009/Home.aspx

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14444725/Shrutis-profile-in-India-Todays
Shrutis' profile in India Todays

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Magazines & Newspape Non-fiction shruti nagvanshi dr.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Police excess brings constant fear

http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=17421#

Police excess brings constant fear

Dr.Lenin Raghuvanshi 6/4/2009 10:14:50 PM(IST)

I am 19-year old Pintu and live in Kakrahi, Karma Police station, Robertsganj block, Sonebhadra district. I have 3 brother and 3 sisters. My father, Kallu alias Budhram, who is 45 year old, is a vegetable vendor. Like any other day on 11th September 2007, my father had gone to Sabzi Mandi (wholesale vegetable market) to purchase vegetable, while returning back one shopkeeper of the Mandi, Shambu Jaiswal and his accomplices, Munnar Mauraya, Rajesh Mauraya, Ram Lakshman Prajapati, Sudama alias Dasrath called my father and though bidding for the vegetable he did not purchase that and dragged him to house, closed the shutter and started raining incessant blows on him. Then, a man witnessing that came running to our house. He told that some people are thrashing our father.

At that time, I was wearing a lungi and standing at the door of my house. Listening that I got terrified and ran to the Mandi, there I heard my father was screaming beaten black and blue. I also got panicky, I started shivering in fear and I was not able to utter a single word. Seeing me shouting and crying, they left my father. Then, we rushed our father to a Government Hospital. After his treatment started, we went to the police station to file an FIR against those who had continuously beaten my father. SO in the police station asked for the original copy of the medical report. Then, we returned back. In the morning we went to the police station to hand over the medical report and file the FIR. The SO took away 2 copies of the medical which I was carrying and police took it away. Police in an abusive manner told us that don’t complain that your father was beaten mercilessly. Policemen started beating us and pushed behind the lock up. Frightened with that I started crying out of fear thinking how would be father and how the things would be at home. I was getting hungry, which I couldn’t tell anyone as I was too scared. A vendor was selling chop, I gave Rs. 100 hiding from other’s eyes and told him to give us a chop. The remaining amount the police told that the vendor would return back when I would be released from the jail.

Next day, I was booked under section 151 of the IPC and those who had beaten my father mercilessly turned up at the police station and jeered at me if you would speak against us then this would be our fate. I was crying and I was quite worried that my father was in the hospital. After being released from the jail, I had sleepless nights as those threatening me to kill hovered in my mind. I had to take sleeping pills continuously for 25 days. Then also, I used to scream and wake up during the nights thinking of my days in the lock up and the police high handedness. I used to hide myself whenever I saw those people who had threatened me of dire consequences if I dared to make any complaint against them.

Shambu Jaiswal and his accomplices told my advocate if I dared to file any complaint against them, then would get me killed by branding me as a ‘Naxalite’. Then I started working in Rahat Times, a local Hindi daily newspaper, where police officials used to come at its office. Seeing the police, I used to get scared. Whenever my senior, Santosh Patel used to send me to bring tea or betel, then I gathered courage to talk to the police. I used to talk to them in hushed tone. Gradually, I could overcome my fear against the police. Whenever I was sent alone to ‘kotwali’ (police station) to gather information about the criminal cases so the fear was deeply embedded in my mind that I used to go to the court and told tell lies. But now I am quite enthusiastic, that by placing news in our newspaper we are able to serve the people. It gives me quite a relief. When my senior, Santosh came to know about police high handedness over me, then he generates confidence in me. He told that me that nobody would harm you, do not fear anyone, you have to put up a brave front against those who threaten you with dire consequences. It gave me courage and belief in me. Sometimes, those people threaten me on phone that they would abduct and kill me.

Today I am keen to help others. When police officer, Gyanendra Mishra was demoted to lower rank and transferred I was quite happy. Even after helping other in their problems, the fear lurks in my mind that police would again implicate us in false cases and kill me. Then also, I am fighting for those killed by police. Charges under Sections 147, 323, 325,504, 506 and 324 of IPC were framed then also police did not act so they have lost hope over the law enforcers. Sometimes, I lose control over my brain. Then I took the onerous responsibility of fighting against the police excess. Now, I get constant support and encouragement from the people. If I see police beaten by police, it shivers my spine. It seems as if I and my father are being beaten. Still, there is slight fear in my mind.

Testimony Report by Vijay Bharti and Upender under RCT-PVCHR initiative

Saturday, April 4, 2009

An untold story of a family

http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=17275#

An untold story of a family

Dr.Lenin Raghuvanshi 4/4/2009 11:39:11 AM(IST)

I am Munni Devi and reside in S 18/ 149, Nadesar, Rajabazar, Varanasi. I have five children, three sons and two daughters. Among them two sons and a daughter had been married. After the marriage, my sons have their own separate household arrangements.

When my youngest son, Guddu was 7-8 years old, I sent him to Mumbai along with a neighbourer. He earned his livelihood selling toys in the metropolis and even used to send us some money. There he grew into a young man.

When my sons and a daughter were married my youngest son could not attend their marriage. Whenever he used to come to Varanasi he was accompanied by our neighbourer, who had migrated to Mumbai for earning a livelihood.

Once, when Guddu had come to Varanasi, after attending a marriage ceremony at Lanka while coming back to home he was arrested in the way and taken to police station.

Next day, in the morning, people known to us rushed to our home, informing that my son has been arrested, which they had read in the newspapers. We were dumbstruck as my ears could not believe that. They showed us the newspaper in which the story of my son’s arrest had appeared. Then also I could not believe my eyes.

Then, we rushed to the kutchery (local court) where we came to know that two boys, including my son have been nabbed on murder charges. It seemed much more shocking than death. I was quite definite that my son was falsely implicated. Whatever might be the reason he was my son, who at least used to earn on his own.

However, I lived a hand to mouth existence, where my husband turned out to be worthless earning not a single penny for the family. Even he had no attachment towards the family, for past 10 to 12 years. For running the household and to feed my children, I took up stitching work. But that too suffered a setback, when I and my son had to go to the court at regular intervals. I had never faced such turbulent situation. I have to take loan and sell my meager land holding, to fight my son’s case. After one and half years, my youngest son was released from the jail. His release brought relief to us. Guddu, my son was shifted to my daughter’s brother-in-law’s house to save him from police harassment.

One day, there also plain clothed policeman reached there and picked up Ashok Pradhan and my youngest son. They were taken to police station and a boy witnessing that rang up and informed us. Again, my innocent son was framed in false case, it came in my mind. After my son’s arrest, I and my family members had to run from pillar to post to know the whereabouts of my son.

After knowing that my son is in Bhelupur police station, then we rushed there. Reaching there, we were not allowed to meet my son. Then, after much persuasion we were permitted to meet my son. Seeing my son at the police station I was thinking what fate had befallen on me. It would have been better if I would have died. In the cold wintry night, we used to spend our nights outside the police station. After 6 to 7 days of my son’s arrest, a false case of drug trafficking was booked against my son. He was behind the bars for two and half months. We got scared. Still my head starts reeling remembering that.

Doctor also advises not to burden my brain. He says if you die then who would take care of your son. After two and half months my son was released on bail. Then I was quite assured that police is responsible for turning an innocent to a criminal. After the bail I sent back my son to Mumbai. All of my family members are scared of police.

Just a fortnight back police again came and asked my grandson where your uncle is? He told that he is in Mumbai. Then the police started abusing my other son and took him to the police station. Till we reached the police station he was released. Police has been constantly threatening us. They say that if we don’t call back our son back from Mumbai then they would be forced to auction our house and evict us.

Recently, my grandson accompanying me to a shop to purchase jalebi, seeing a policeman standing there he got scared and asked me, ‘Grandma, I don’t need jalebi, let’s go back to home.’

Always a fear lurks our mind that anytime police can knock the door. I cannot sleep in the night. My grandson is quite fearful seeing the police. He is scared of police’s abusive language and its uniform. Its always fear in my mind that if my son moves out, would police catch him, thinking that he starts shivering. Though what I have faced had generated confidence in me.

Based on testimony of Munni Devi by RCT-PVCHR initiative against TOV

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Varanasi silk industries need to be listed in world heritage

http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=17217

Varanasi silk industries need to be listed in world heritage

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 2/4/2009 5:31:40 PM(IST)

Silk industry of Varanasi is considered to be a traditional art, life, culture and indigenous business. Varanasi silk work is the identity of Varanasi. It should be protected and preserved at any cost. It should be included in list of world heritage.

The people who adopted this occupation from their fore-parent, they not only carry this occupation for their livelihood but also carry this tradition and living culture with Great Spirit. They are expert on this art.

They can weave complicated design over their looms which are beyond imagination. However due to market crisis the silk industries are declining and the condition of weavers are deteriorating day by day. Now they are standing at the edge of deterioration and this traditional art is endanger.

We support the modern democratic capitalist mode of production, but this traditional industry should be assimilated with modern product so that it may survive and compete in market on the values of equity, justice and fraternity.

This battle is not for wealth or power, this battle is for survival of indigenous wisdom named as Varanasi silk industries against china dragon. It is the battle of reclamation of tradition, art, and culture. The products of china are sold at cheaper rate as their production cost is low and they receive exemption in import. A person of ordinary prudence can not differentiate these products from indigenous product. All these vanishes traditional industries.

Varanasi is one of the most ancient cities and weaving is an ancient art. Varanasi is very famous for silk sarees. So this is the time when the efforts should be made to protect this famous art and culture. To preserve this industry, effort should be made at every level. The people who are doing this occupation should be encouraged. The government should provide every support along with financial assistance to the weavers.

They should be provided raw material and other accommodation to continue their occupation. The open market should be provided and minimum price should be fixed by government, so that the weavers can not be compelled to sell their product at extreme low rate. Legislation should pass the law to protect this industry. The product of silk should get patent on the basis of geographical region.

This industry needs to be survived so instead of promoting Chinese product the government should make an arrangement to promote indigenous product. Apart from that to promote the silk product at international level the exemption should be provided in export.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Survivors regained their self-esteem and dignity due to testimonial model

http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=17118

Survivors regained their self-esteem and dignity due to testimonial model

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 31/3/2009 8:55:54 PM(IST)

Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), India, in collaboration with the Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT), Denmark, is holding a two-day National Consultation at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi. The theme of the consultation, organised from 16th to 17th April 2009, is ‘Testimony to improve psychosocial wellbeing and promote advocacy for survivors of torture and organised violence’.

In order to search for consensus on future plans for the introduction and use of testimonial therapy, the National Consultation has the following objectives:

ü To increase the awareness of how torture engenders psychological symptoms in survivors and how it affects their daily life

ü To integrate testimony into political campaigns, including the national campaign for the ratification of United Nations Convention against Torture (CAT) and the national domestic law against torture.

ü To explore the possibility of creating alliances with different political organisations and stakeholders in India concerning the fight against Torture and other Organised Violence (TOV)

ü To promote the psychosocial well-being of survivors of TOV.

Prior to the National Consultation, a pilot project was launched by RCT, Denmark and PVCHR, India with the purposes of: 1.) building the capacities of Human Rights organisations in India to provide testimonial therapy, and 2.) to assess the utility and applicability of the testimonial method for the human rights work in India.

The testimonial method was originally developed in Chile during the military dictatorship in 1970s. It has been successfully used in the psychotherapeutic treatment of refugee survivors of torture in many countries and it has also been an advocacy tool employed by different human rights movements. Most recently, principles of cognitive behavioural exposure therapy and testimony therapy have been combined as narrative exposure therapy for the treatment of traumatised survivor of war and torture.

During the pilot project, spanning six months, 3 Training of the Trainers workshops were conducted in which 40 human rights activists and community workers, who were already working in their communities, were trained. Guided by the trainers, participants capitalised on the skills developed during the workshops to develop a manual, as well as a Monitoring & Evaluation system to quantify the outcomes and compare various psychosocial parameters before and after the intervention.

Utilizing the testimonial method, 85 survivors of torture gave their testimonies. 65 (76%) were male and 20 (24%) were female. 61 are primary victims and 24 are secondary victims. 72 (86%) were Hindu, 8 (9%) were Muslim, and 6 (7%) were Christian. 8 (9%) belong to upper castes, 39(46%) were OBC, 18 (21%) were dalits and 20(24%) belonged to tribal communities.

During the first two sessions of the ‘Capacity Building’ workshops, testimonies were written and in third session victims of torture participated in a delivery ceremony. The trainee therapists also followed up with survivors to assess their feeling after the intervention.

Victims treated with testimonial therapy demonstrated significant improvements in World Health Organisation indicators for human well being (WHO 5). All of them expressed their satisfaction with the process, especially the public delivery ceremony. This ritual apparently became a “turning point” in the healing process. By recording their stories and externalizing their private pain, survivors reframed their experiences to take on a social meaning within the context of human rights affirmation, and thereby regained their self-esteem and dignity.

For more information about PVCHR see: www.pvchr.org, www.pvchr.blogspot.com

For more information about RCT see: www.rct.dk

Contact number in India: +91-9935599333

Monday, March 30, 2009

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भूख से मरते बच्चों के लिए लेनिन ने छेड़ी मुहिम

http://khabar.josh18.com/news/10970/8
http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-post.html
http://khabar.josh18.com/videos/10970/03_2009/cjlenin1_0330
http://khabar.josh18.com/videos/10970/03_2009/cjlenin2_0330

भूख से मरते बच्चों के लिए लेनिन ने छेड़ी मुहिम
आईबीएन-7

भूख से होने वाली मौतों की खबर लेनिन अक्सर अखबारों में पढ़ते हैं। सोनभद्र। आदिवासियों के विकास के लिए सरकार ने कई योजनाएं बनाईं लेकिन इन योजनाओं का फायदा भ्रष्ट अधिकारियों को मिलता है और आदिवासी बद से बदतर हालात में जीते हैं। प्रशासन की इसी बेरुखी की वजह से उत्तर प्रदेश के एक गांव में लोग भूख से मरने लगे। ऐसे में सिटीजन जर्नलिस्ट डॉ. लेनिन ने इस मामले को उठाया और इन लोगों को रोटी का हक दिलाया।

डॉ. लेनिन पेशे से एक डॉक्टर हैं। उनकी लड़ाई एक ऐसे मुद्दे को लेकर है जिसने दुनिया के सबसे बड़े लोकतंत्र का सर शर्म से झुका दिया है। बात कर रहे हैं भूख से होने वाली मौत की और उन लोगों के हक की जो लोग दो वक्त की रोटी के लिए भी तरसते हैं।

भूख से होने वाली मौतों की खबर लेनिन अक्सर अखबारों में पढ़ते हैं। 2005 में सोनभद्र जिले के एक गांव की ऐसी ही एक खबर उन्होंने अखबार में पढ़ी। सोनभद्र के रॉप गांव में भूख के कारण 16 बच्चों की मौत हो गई। लेनिन ये सोच कर हैरान रह जाते हैं कि संसाधनों और विकास की तमाम योजनाओं के बावजूद कैसे लोग भूख से बेमौत मर जाते हैं।

फिर उन्होंने रॉप गांव जाने का फैसला किया। इस गांव में तकरीबन 72 परिवार रहते हैं जो कि घसिया आदिवासी जनजाति से सबंध रखते हैं। लेनिन ने देखा इस गांव में लोगों की हालत काफी खराब थी। 16 बच्चे मौत की आगोश में सो चुके थे और दो बच्चे गंभीर रूप से बीमार थे।

इन लोगों को एक वक्त की रोटी भी नसीब नहीं थी जिस वजह से इन्हें अपनी भूख मिटाने के लिए पेड़ के पत्ते खाने पड़ते थे। यहां अधिकतर बच्चे कुपोषण के शिकार हैं जिसका कारण था खाने की कमी। पैसे की तंगी के कारण इन लोगों के बीपीएल कार्ड भी नहीं बने थे। लेकिन प्रशासन सोया रहा और लोग बेमौत मरते रहे।

प्रशासन कहता है कि ये मौत कुपोषण के कारण हो रही हैं। लेकिन सच ये है कि जो लोग कई दिनों तक खाना नहीं खाते उनके लिए कुपोषण एक बीमारी नहीं बल्कि मजबूरी है। डॉ. लेनिन ने इस समस्या के हर पहलू को बारीकी से समझा और एक रिपोर्ट तैयार की। इस रिपोर्ट को उन्होंने मानवाधिकार आयोग के सामने पेश किया।

मानवाधिकार आयोग ने भी माना कि मामला कुपोषण का नहीं भूखमरी का है। उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्य सचिव को एक नोटिस भेजा गया। नोटिस मिलते ही सोया हुआ प्रशासन जाग गया। और उसके बाद स्वास्थ्य विभाग ने बच्चों के इलाज के लिए गांव में कैंप लगाया। 154 घरों में अनाज का इंतजाम किया गया और इसके साथ ही इन आदिवासियों के बीपीएल कार्ड भी बने।

भूखमरी सीधे तौर पर कमाई और रोजगार से जुड़ी है। रॉप गांव में एक भी व्यक्ति पढ़ा लिखा नहीं है। लोगों के पास रोजगार नहीं और उनमें जागरूकक की कमी है। ये लोग अपने अधिकारों के बारे में भी नहीं जानते। कुछ लोगों मदद से डॉ. लेनिन ने यहां एक स्कूल बनवाया। भविष्य में कोई भी भूख के कारण मौत का शिकार न हो इसके लिए उन्होंने यहां अनाज बैंक का निर्माण कराया। लोगों के सहयोग से लेनिन ने 4 रिक्शा 100 बकरियां आदिवासियों के रोजगार के लिए उपलब्ध कराए ताकि ये लोग आत्म निर्भर बन सकें।

भूख से मरते लोग भारत की एक शर्मनाक हकीकत हैं। सवाल ये है कि जब सरकार ने इनके लिए योजनाएं बनायी हैं तो ये योजनाएं इन लोगों तक क्यों नहीं पहुंचतीं। दो वक्त की रोटी हर आदमी का बुनियादी हक है और ये सरकार की जिम्मेदारी है कि हर आदमी को उसका बुनियादी हक मिले।

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Statement of PVCHR and AHRC on Tuberculosis

Statement of PVCHR and AHRC on Tuberculosis,which is published in Times of India,Lucknow edition of UP.Please see:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/13627879/TB
TB

Publish at Scribd or explore others: tb pvchr ahrc weaver