Human rights meet begins today

PUNE, DEC 25: Displaced people, under-trials, tribals, environmentalists, with a tale to tell. Tales of how their basic dignity was denied...

PUNE, DEC 25: Displaced people, under-trials, tribals, environmentalists, with a tale to tell. Tales of how their basic dignity was denied and trampled upon. Making a mockery of the their human rights.

All will get together at a week long conference at Panchgani starting Tuesday and get together with a purpose. To confer and chalk out a plan on how to deal with human right abuses perpetrated by either the state or individual with power. On the international front, participants in the form of two sitting judges from the South African Constitutional court are attending the meet.

Born out of the efforts of various social groups like the Pune-based Kalpavrikhsha, India Centre for Human Rights (ICHR) and the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) among others. More than 900 delegates from all walks of life will get together in the chilly climes of Panchgani. From sitting judges to advocates who will speak on repression by the armed forces in the chequered history of the North-East. Social activists who will talk of the rights of under-trials and environmentalists and social scientists who will elucidate the impact of globalisation.

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Environmentalist, Ashish Kothari of Kalpavriksha had one more to add when he said, “This conference will also demolish the myth that environmentalists and human rights activists don’t talk to each other. This conference will see the two get together on issues that are intrinsically the same.”

Usually indigenous people are dependant on their natural resources, said Kothari. “Once the environment is degraded than they are denied their natural resources which is a violation of human rights,” he added.

According Colin Gonsalves, lawyer and one of the organisers, this will help educate the judges’. After all, he added, they have adapted their constitution from us and yet, their judgements are far head of us’. “One such judgement was making the goernment responsible for ensuring housing for all while another made a strong case against the death penalty,” said Gonsalves.

Globalisation and its impact will also be studied in detail. With the economy opening up to direct foreign investment and Indian markets being thrown open, Kothari said that its impact has been tremendous. If this is to be understood properly than it would reveal that this also would endanger human rights to a large extent.

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However, the organisers conceded that there were very few participants who were presently serving in official capacities. With the issues being sensitive’, it became difficult for them to make any statements.’

However, as Gonsalves pointed out, there would be senior retired officials who would give the other side of the picture. The conference begins on MRA campus at Panchgani on December 26.