UP NGOs and activists protest against attacks on AIDS activits

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum subscribers,

WAMA, a UP women activist's network and AIDWA-UP, a women's

organization, had called for a public demonstration on 21st August to

protest the recent attacks on human rights defenders in the state. In recent

years, it has been observed that state facilitated attacks on human rights

activists and organizations, which are addressing issues related to civil

liberties and basic rights have increased steeply, under the present

government. The recent examples are:

* 1999, Chitrkoot, Vanangana: Activists who intervened to support a

child sexually abused by her father

*2000, Almora, Sahayog: Activists published a report on HIV/AIDS,

in September 1999, were arrested and kept in detention for more than a

month

*2001, Chandauli, Gramya: Activists working with the Dalit, tribal

population have been arrested on charges of being Naxalites and are still

in jail

* 2001, Lucknow, Bharosa & Naz Foundation International: Activists

working with the MSM community on HIV/AIDS, were arrested and have

been in Jail for 52 days, on charges of " promoting gay culture " , and on

false charges of 377, IPC, under which there were no direct charges as

admitted by the Public Prosecutor, in his arguments in the High Court,

Lucknow Bench on 16/7/01

The last example has clearly illustrated that while the state will use NGOs

to fulfill its agenda, it will neither hesitate nor control its executive arm,

namely the police, from persecuting the activists.

This is clearly an attack on the democratic values of the nation, as by

creating an environment of mistrust and fear for the activists, the state

seeks to silence them, and deprive the masses of the few advocates who

support their causes without any electoral interests. This goes against the

much-publicized history of NGO and government partnership and the

stated policy in national and international fora

The demonstration was attended by activists from all over the State, and

from Rajasthan and New Delhi. They emphasized the human rights

violations of the powerless and marginalized in the state, like the Sexual

minorities, Dalits, and women. The activists demanded a clear answer from

the Chief Minister, on the rising trend of attack on human rights defenders

and on the masses, in cases like the Moradabad and Muzzaffernagar

killings. The activists reiterated that hiding behind culture is not an

explanation of state failure to provide protection for rights of individuals.

A memorandum was handed over to the Home Secretary outlining the

demands:

* The State should clarify its policy on NGOs and human rights

activists

*A time-barred judicial inquiry should be set-up on the above-

mentioned cases, and strict action should be taken against officers found

guilty. The concerned activists, especially of Bharosa and Naz Foundation

International, whose families are facing constant threats, should be

provided security. The offices of Naz Foundation International should be

reopened immediately, and they should be allowed to continue with their

work unhindered.

* The persecution of dalit, tribals in East UP in the name of naxalites

should be immediately stopped, and the six innocent activists arrested

from Narkati, Naugarh, district Chadauli, should be released immediately.

* Anti-People laws like the National Security Act and 377 IPC should

be repealed with immediate effect.

Participants included Ms. Subhashini Ali, ex-MP, from Kanpur, AIDWA,

Ms. Kavita Srivastava, National Organizing Secretary, People's Union for

Civil Liberties, and Mr. K.K. Rai, Secretary, PUCL, UP, and Women's

groups NGOs, and people's organisations like AALI, Vanangana,

NIRANTAR, SAHAYOG, Healthwatch, U.P.-Bihar, SARC, Varanasi,

Gramya, Chandauli, UPVHA, BGVS, Vigyan, Sahyog, (Allahabad), DISHA,

AWAZ, Voices of Partners, SFI, and other UP Core Group on Civil Liberties.

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