Alternative Education for Burmese Stateless Children

By: Anna Malindog
PPDD Executive Director

Working for Burma, a country bleeding and suffering from the claws of the “Burmese Army, the Tatmadaw” – is quite a challenging experience for me. In as far the country is concern, it is indeed facing acute cases of not only political and economic crises but much more it is confronting social unrest like the massive deterioration of the country’s social and moral fibers being exemplified by the massive and extensive cases of human rights violations committed against the civilian population of the country. Human rights violations and abuses are but common undertakings in Burma. They are too common that they already become part and parcel of the daily life of the peoples of Burma.

Burma as a country has been in constant conflict since independence from Britain in 1948. Internal civil war and poor governance has brought about widespread poverty, poor health care, low educational standards and systematic human rights abuses. Children, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, have been disproportionately affected by all these factors. Children in Burma are increasingly vulnerable to different kinds of exploitations. These include forced labor, trafficking, portering, recruiting child soldiers, imprisoning children in labor and military camps, and sex assaults against children.

Widespread poverty has also led to a growing number of children from Burma being trafficked into prostitution and street begging. In the face of extreme economic hardship, some parents sell their children, because they believe that the child will have a better life elsewhere, or because they are desperate for the small amount of money paid by the trafficker.

“I have seen these horrible scenarios when I was traveling around the country during the last 6 years of working on Burma issues”.

As a consequence, children and their parents bearing with them feelings of frustrations and desperation would run and cross different border areas of Burma and in most cases large number would end up in the Thai-Burma border since Thailand is the primary destination for these people. The moment these people reach the Thai border they are often not accepted as refugees. Automatically they become illegal migrants/displaced or stateless beings.

The children suffer similar fate with that of their parents. They become illegal people without any status or security whatsoever. There are children born at the border areas who cannot be registered anywhere and consequently are said to be illegal and stateless beings not recognized by any state, not having citizenship in any country and are not protected by any laws at all.

Adding to the bleak and dismal condition of the children at the border areas like Mae Sot is the fact that they don’t have any access to good and quality education that will help develop them to become mature and responsible individuals.


My organization Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD), a regional organization working for unprivileged and marginalized groups and communities in South East Asia and in Asia Pacific at large carrying the objective of supporting grassroots people in their struggle for equality, freedom, democracy and development, with the utmost financial and moral support coming from May 18 foundation since 2005 initiated a project which to a greater degree tries to fill in the gap of the lack of educational opportunities of these stateless children from Burma. It established the “Light School: “Alternative Education and Community Development for Displaced and Stateless Children” along the Burmese border, Mae Sot” which aims to provide basic education, safer conditions, child friendly environment, critical and analytical teaching methods for displaced and stateless children.

In as far as the project is concern so far PPDD was able to build two (2) school buildings and the school is in operation for over 10 months and it is catering to 120 stateless children from Burma. The school currently has five (5) teachers and one (1) cook and one (1) project coordinator. In as far as the project is concern it thus far has its own humble success and it continuously faces challenges especially with regards to funding/financing the whole project.

However, PPDD is not alone in overcoming such a challenge. It has its partner organizations and individual supporters who are continuously helping it achieves it goals and objectives for the school. And one of the closest partners of PPDD is May 18 Foundation. The foundation since the formative years of PPDD has been very supportive. It had extended funds to PPDD for its organizational development for two (2) years (2005 -2007) and currently is extending financial support to Light School for two (2) more years (January 2008 – December 2009).

Under the current grant, the Foundation supports for the following project deliverables;

• Provision of School Materials and Facilities and Salary to the Teachers and Personnel of the School. The school currently has one (1) project coordinator; one (1) cook and five (5) teachers, two (2) of them are teaching kindergarten pupils, one (1) is teaching grade 1 pupils, one (1) teaching grade 2 pupils and one (1) teaching both grade 3 and 4 pupils. The teachers are currently catering to a total of 120 children.

• The conduct of training-workshops on community development and organizing, basic human rights education especially on child rights and basic education on how to conserve and preserve the environment and economic training for the parents of the children with possible income-generating projects.

• Expansion of the school operation to higher grade level and continuous community development and organizing and human rights education of the community – this phase basically concerns itself on the expansion both of the school building, facilities and grade levels. Light School will upgrade its grade levels in the next three (3) years to grade 6 and post 10 grade levels. On the other hand, side by side with the school expansion, PPDD will continuously implement its community development project like i.e. micro-financing/credit. PPDD will also continuously conduct training-workshops on human rights, leadership and democracy and basic political concepts for the community and for the parents of the children.

Indeed, May 18 Foundation is part and parcel of the humble successes and achievements my organization had achieved in a short period of time. And each day we look forward to a more “fruitful and meaningful partnership” with the foundation in “changing and empowering peoples and communities” in the areas and places we are working now and will be working in the near future.

Light School Kids having fun with a French Clown

To May 18 Memorial Foundation International Team:

Greetings!

Hope you are doing great! Please see attached file for some pictures of
Light School kids having fun with French clown. This was just last week.
The kids were so happy!!! Just keeping you posted of anything
interesting things taking place at Light school. Thanks and good luck to
you. Take care too!!!

Big smiles and hugs!
anna

PRAXIS

December 10 marks the international
commemoration of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
This day should remind us that as God’s creation
we are “all created in the likeness and image of
God “(Genesis 1:2), and therefore have equal
rights to live and enjoy dignified lives. With this
comes a responsibility to ensure that the rest of
humanity experience the same gift from God,
and when conditions are otherwise, Christian
communities are called to “Speak up for people
who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the
rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them
and be a righteous judge. Protect the right of
all the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9). This
is the prophetic mission of the SCM today. We
are called to be God’s channel of peace, justice
and hope in the midst brokenness in the world.

These last few months of 2007 have been
disturbing for many of us living in this part of
the world. We have seen how the Burmese
Military Junta violently quelled the people’s
peaceful voices of resistance in September. The
arrest of lawyers and human rights activist,
following the declaration of martial law by
President Muzzharaf in Pakistan in October, and
the continuing cases of disappearances and
extra-judicial killings in the Philippines and Sri
Lanka. In all these countries, the state or the
powers that be are the principal violator of
human rights, noting that these countries are
original signatories of the UDHR in 1948.

In this issue of PRAXIS, we have printed the
analysis made by the Asia Pacific People’s
Partnership on Burma (APPPB) on the aftermath
of the so-called Maroon Revolution in Burma.
APPPB represents the largest coalition of groups
and NGOs working inside and outside Burma.
In their statement, they highlighted the role of
the 88 Generations of Students Group in
gradually building the awareness of people to
assert their rights and the continuing struggle
finally bring democracy to Burma. The biblical
reflection contains the liturgy prepared by the
WSCF HR Committee on the theme of human
rights. Women’s Space is the story of Doman,
an indigenous young Filipino woman, whose
husband was a victim of the extra-judicial killings
in the Philippines. She narrates her healing
journey and how she is coping with life as a
young single mother of two after the tragic
death of her husband.

As we celebrate the advent season, let us be
reminded of the meaning of the birth of Jesus
Christ in the context of the suffering of people
whose rights to life are denied. Let us celebrate
Christmas with hope for justice and peace and
a better world for the future.
Makabuluhang Pasko sa Lahat! (Meaningful
Christmas to All!)

Necta Montes Rocas
Regional Secretary

Students' Victory: Lee Song Yong unreasonable one-semester suspension withdraw

Below is a letter from DEMA regarding their victory on the case of one of its members. The foundation supported their appeal and petition on this issue.





Dear friends and supporters,

Good news in students' struggle! The one-semester suspension of UPM student, Lee Song Yong had been withdraw, and changed to fine RM 200 with warning letter.

We need to claim here that this is the victory of all of us who involved. This shows that students' and peoples' power can make the changes.

Of course this is not the ideal result that we fight for and fine RM 200 still means Song Yong was doing wrong in the case. Well, we won't make an ending here, we will start another round of student rights awareness campaign start from here, as Song Yong not the only victim of student rights violation.

Thanks for all of you who been supported in our signature campaign and sending out the urgent appeal to give the pressure to the authority to make the decision change.

"Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win. ~Bernadette Devlin."

Background

Lee Song Yong was sentence to one-semester suspension by the UPM authority following UPM disciplinary proceeding on 22 November 2007 under infamous draconian law University and University College Act (UUCA) for allegedly obstructing a security guard from confiscating his personal belongings.




The chronology of the case is as follows:


Date
Events

22/08/07
o At 10pm, Lee Song Yong was stopped by two security guards in uniform at the Anjung Putra guard posts when he was on his way out of campus.

o One of the guards requested to examine Lee's bag. Lee enquired as to the the guards needed to examine his bag, but the guard refused to answer. Lee refused to fulfill the guards' request as he believed nothing wrong and he wanted to be cautious.

o After Lee had refused, the guard made a phone call. Not long after that, three men in plain clothes turned up at Anjung Putra and they refused to heed Lee's request for their identification. Lee held out his matric card to show to the men, and immediately the card was snatched from him.

o The guard then forcefully demanded that Lee surrendered his bag. Lee refused, however one of them snatched the bag from him while the other held him. Lee insisted that they return his belongings. The guards mocked back at Lee with foul words. After rummaging the bag, the man took his notebook and matric card away. They drove off in a Proton Wira.

o Immediately, Lee lodged a report at Sri Serdang police station that his belonging had been snatched by three unknown men in the UPM campus. The police then informed him that the men were security officers of UPM and asked Lee to retrieve his belongings at Security Department the next day.



23/08/07
o Lee went to the Security Department but could not retrieve them as the official on duty was not present.



27/08/07
o Lee went to the Department for another time to retrieve his belongings and had also lodged a complaint against the security officers who had acted aggressively on him. Director of the Deparment, Major Othman bin Jailani promised to investigate.

o His matric card was returned to him except for his notebook. According to the Deparment's investigation the notebook was needed to investigate illegal organisations in UPM.

o Lee obtained a letter confirming the retention of the aforsaid book and Major Othman was the person who issued the letter.



14/11/07
o Lee Song Yong received a notice served upon him to attend a proceeding, attached together with a translated copy of his notebook. Lee was charged for not cooperating with the security officer and had disputed as well as prevented the officer from carrying out his duty.

o He was only given two working days to prepare himself to attend the proceeding on 19 November 2007, Monday, 2.30pm, which carries with it the posibility of expulsion.



16/11/07
o Lee was accompanied by his lawyer Mr Sunil Lopez and SUARAM representative Arutchelven, submitted his application letter to adjourn the proceeding to head of Disciplinary Unit Professor Dr Tai Shzee Yew. Without reading the letter, Dr Tai straightaway rejected the application. They requested that Dr Tai to read the letter first and discussed with them before coming to any decision.

o The letter of complaint against the concerned security officer was sent again at the same time to the Vice Chancellor of UPM, Prof Dr Nik Mustapha.

o At 8.30pm, Lee received a reply letter from the officials informing Lee that both his applications to adjourn the proceeding and to have a lawyer present with him during the whole proceeding were rejected. However, he was allowed to be represented by any students so as to assist him.



19/11/07
o Lee Song Yong went to Banguna Pentadbiran UPM at 2.30pm together with 4 student representatives namely Ooi Tze Min, ng Yong Jin, Teh Yee Keong and Neow Ti Hooi.

o However, the 4 students and parents representatives were later not allowed to attend the proceeding.

o Lee had to attend the proceeding alone without any assistance.

o In the proceeding, Lee requested that he be represented by a student, and that he be allowed to call up a witness to testify before the proceeding. The request was allowed.

o The proceeding was adjourned to 22/11/07 at 9.30am.



21/11/07
o SMM sent a memorandum to SUHAKAM with regards to the cases of abuse of power by the security officials in UPM since 2003. kuasa oleh pengawai keselamatan di UPM sejak tahun 2003.

o SUHAKAM requested that the proceeding Nov 22 to be cancelled to allow the commission to investigate the matter.

o If the proceeding were to proceed, SUHAKAM would send its officer as an observer.

o Prof Dato' Dr Khoo Kay Kim stated that whatever laws that are not in line with the Constitution must be deemed invalid.



22/11/07
o Lee Song Yong attended the proceeding in the company of Ooi Tze Min as his representative and Loke Chiu Chee as his witness.

o In the proceeding, the witnesses from Disciplinary Board which comprises of security guards including uniformed officer, special task unit and director of security Major Othman admitted that Lee had shown that he intended to cooperate by showing his matric card and did not attempt to escape. He only refused to allow his bag to be examined until he obtained the security officers' explanation. The officers themselves had admitted that they did not give any reason when they are checking the bag of the students though it was part of the procedure

o Lee Song Yong was given suspension of one semester with a stern warning by the Disciplinary unit headed by Prof Dr Tai Shzee Yew, Deputy Vice Chancellor.



27/11/07
o At least 30 urgent appeals were sent to Ministry of Higher Education by students, lecturers, local NGOs and international NGOs to demand the withdraw of Lee's suspension.



27/11/07
o SMM went to SUHAKAM for the second time to request serious attention about this case.

o Prof Dato' Dr Khoo Kay Kim said that he will further follow up about this case.



04/12/07
o After 3 times of delaying, Lee finally got the minutes of the proceeding. Unfortunately, it was incomplete; most of the points which benefit Lee were left out.



05/12/07
o SMM went to parliament to get support from MP.



11/12/07
o Lee Song Yong handed in appeal letter to the Ministry of Higher Education on behalf of his own name.



14/12/07
o SMM handed in a memorandum to Minister of Higher Education, requesting serious attention from the ministry.



24/12/07
o IVC (Inter Varsity Council) had a discussion on this case at KLSCAH.



26/12/07
o Lee Song Yong had a meeting with youth of Chinese Society groups.



28/12/07
o Meeting with Dr. Wee Ka Xiong from MCA Youth.



30/12/07
o Dr. Wee Ka Xiong from MCA Youth announced to the media that the appeal result was released and the ministry's decision was to change the one-semester suspension to the fine of RM200 and a warning to Lee Song Yong.



09/01/07
o Lee Song Yong received official letter from Ministry of Higher Education through UPM, stating that the one-semester suspension had been changed to the fine of RM200 and a warning

Regards,

Malaysia Youth and Student Democratic Movement

DEMA
demamalaysia@gmail.com
www.demamalaysia.wordpress.com

Independence of National Human Rights Commission of Korea is at risk

------------------------------------------------------
Republic of Korea: Independence of National Human Rights Commission of Korea is at risk
ISSUES: National human rights institution
------------------------------------------------------

ON LINE PETITION: Save the NHRCK
http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/savenhrck/

Dear friends,


The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information that the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) is in danger of loosing its independence, through a draft by the Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) on 16 January 2008 placing the commission under the control of the incoming president. On January 25, the draft will be considered at the Government Administration Committee, National Assembly.

Your urgent intervention is needed to save its independence. DETAILED INFORMATION: The Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) was formed after Mr. Lee Myung-bak was elected as the President of Republic of Korea in December 2007. They have now produced a draft concerning the reorganisation of the government institutions which recommends that the NHRCK is to be under the direct control of the Office of the President.

The PTC headed by Ms. Lee Kyung-sook made three reasons for the transition. The reasons are 1) there are a large number of committees within the government and they impede the responsible administration and prevent speedy decision making; 2) the current status of the NHRCK, which does not belong to any government institution either the administration, legislation or judicature violates the principle of separation of the three powers stipulated by Korean Constitution; 3) the NHRCK has to transit in order to normalise its status which has been too much high.

According to the information received, however, the opinion that any government organisation except the Constitutional institution has to belong to administration, legislation or judicature from the PTC is baseless. In order for the opinion to valid, the Act on the NHRCK which is legal basis of its establishment should have been 'unconstitutional' or there should have been a flaw at the time of the legislation. In fact it fulfils article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which stipulates "Recognising the inviolable fundamental rights that an individual has, the state has accountabilities to ensure them" After this recommendation, Ms. Louise Arbour, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights immediately wrote a statement to the chairperson of the PTC, asking her to reconsider the plan.

The NHRCK also made a statement to express its deep concern about the threat to its independence. On January 18, the PTC asked the Government Administration Committee, National Assembly to consider the draft and the Government Administration Committee is scheduled to consider it on January 25. There is a strong possibility of the draft being passed at the National Assembly on January 28.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:


The NHRCK was established in 25 November 2001 after several discussions by various sectors in Korea over a three year period. While the military government followed by the Japanese colonial had ruled the society for several years, the prosecution, as an investigating agency, had played a leading role in violating human rights and the judicature had not fulfilled its role as a last resort to protect and promote the human rights of the people in the country. With the acknowledgment of this situation, people participating in the discussion of the establishment of the NHRCK had agreed to guarantee its independence from any government powers.

The act on the National Human Rights Commission also provides the authority of the NHRCK to monitor the human rights violation by the law enforcement agencies. There is no exception to this by the administration or the President. However if the NHRCK is to be under the direct control of the President, there is the possibility of the pursuit of political decisions of the President. The debate on its independence originally comes from the "Paris Principles", which was adopted by General Assembly resolution 48/134 on December 1993. There is no doubt that independence is the cornerstone of its effectiveness and its very existence.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please join the signature campaign to save the NHRCK from the threats to its independence. Please also indicate your organisation's name or private. Your signature petition will be directly delivered to the Parliament Members of the Republic of Korea.


Thank you.
Urgent Appeals ProgrammeAsian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION


URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME
Urgent Appeal General: AHRC-UAG-002-2008
19 January 2008

Internship Application Deadline Extended

CALL FOR APPLICATION

THE MAY 18 MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The May 18 Memorial Foundation was founded by Gwangju citizens, sympathetic overseas Koreans, and from individuals who sacrificed and got indemnification from the government. It was created on August 30, 1994 by people who believe it's important to keep the ideas and memories of the 1980 May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising alive and remembered.

The International Internship Program on Human Rights is a program of the Foundation created to contribute in the development of democracy and human rights throughout Asia. It is also an opportunity for interns to learn and experience the history and process of the development of human rights and democracy in South Korea. Specifically the purpose and aim of the program are the following: 1) To improve international solidarity and networking and 2) To promote Gwangju as Asia's Hub for Human Rights Movement.

The Foundation is looking for two interns who will serve for 10 months from March-December 2008. Applicants female or male should not be more than 30 years of age, with a minimum of 3 years NGO or social development work experience on the issues of human rights, democracy and peace. Must be proficient in English and working knowledge of Korean is an advantage. Must be computer literate (email/internet, blog/web page, lay-out/design, etc).

Living allowance will be provided to successful interns. Housing will be provided for free but utilities (telephone/internet, electricity, and gas) will be paid for by interns. The Foundation will pay for the round trip airfare of interns.

Please download the application form if you are interested to apply from any of these links/sites:

http://eng.518.org/main.html?TM18MF=B04&bc_table=ENG_NOTICE&form_act=V&bnum=38&page=1

http://themay18.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/call-for-application-2008-international-internship-program/

Deadline of application is on 30 January 2008. Short listed applicants will be emailed for an online/webcam interview through Skype or Yahoo messenger.

Accepting Nominations -Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2008

Now, on its 8th year, the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights is now open for nomination. Since its inception, this prestigious award has been given to 9 individuals and a Korean organization. In 2006 and 2007 saw co-winners receiving the award. Among the winners include Xanana Gusmao (Timor Leste), Daw Aung San Suu Kyii (Burma), Wardah Hafidz (Indonesia), Malalai Joya (Afghanistan) and Irom Sharmila (India).

For 2008, the prize at stake is US$ 50,000.00, a gold medal and a certificate. The winner will be invited to grace the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award Night on 18 May 2008, in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. This yearly award is sponsored by the May 18 Memorial Foundation.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was established to celebrate the spirit of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising by recognizing both individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy and peace in their work. The prize is awarded by the citizens of Gwangju in the spirit of solidarity and gratitude from those whom they have received help in their struggle for democratization. It is hoped that through this award the spirit and message of May 18 will be immortalized in the hearts and mind of humankind.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights which is given yearly has the following aims:
1). To enhance the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising by awarding individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad on their contribution to improving human rights and peace throughout the world.
2). To reward individuals, groups and institutions in Korea and/or abroad for promoting the goals of the May 18 Democratic Uprising as a movement toward unification and cooperation.

Deadline for submission of application form is 30 March 2008. Please visit our blogsites for other related information: 518solidarity.blogspot.com and themay18.wordpress.com.

Please download the form from this link:

http://eng.518.org/main.html?TM18MF=B04&bc_table=ENG_NOTICE&form_act=V&bnum=39&page=1

Updates from PPDD

Thank you Anna for the updates. please check Anna's Blog - http://armalindog.blogspot.com/ for more details and pictures.







Dear May 18 Foundation International Cooperation Team:

Greetings of Happy Holidays!

Hope all of you are doing great! Please see attached files. I am sending
you pictures of the Christmas Party of Light School that took place last
Dec. 20 at Thaime's Bar. It was attended by parents, some colleagues in
the work place and of course by the beautiful kids of Light School!

In behalf of all people and partners including the staffs and kids of
both PPDD and Light School, I want to greet you all a Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year. I wish all the best for year 2008!

Take care and thank you for the continuous support. In behalf of the
staffs of PPDD and Light School kids want to extend gratitude to all of
you.

Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year!


Sincerely yours,

Anna Malindog
PPDD Executive Director








Dear May 18 International Team:

Hope all of you are doing great! Just want to give you some updates of the developments in Light School since the Foundation is financial supporting Light School. Please see below;

1. Migrant Schools Sports Competition in Maesot – LS kids joined and they won a lot of prizes both in sports competition and academic competitions. Out of 6 migrants/stateless schools, LS got the overall 3rd place in the competition. It was such a fun day. It was whole day event and I was there also participating and cheering for the kids and giving prize awards to winners as requested by the organizers of the event.

2. LS Kids and Teachers has the new school uniforms already

3. Community Development and Organizing & Economic Training LS Kids’ Parents is on-going, it started just last Friday (Dec. 6) and will be done by Dec. 27. Every other day we have training with the parents, they are very committed and happy to attend the training. I am having fun with them though sometimes quite hard for me because of the language barrier but it’s ok.

4. Training of Teachers on Human Rights, Child Rights, Leadership, Team Building, Project Management and School Curricula Development is on-going. It started last Saturday (Dec. 7) and will be done in Dec. 23 I guess. We have the training with the teacher almost everyday except Sunday and Monday since these days are my paper work day and I cannot be at the school to train them.

5. The new building of the school is almost done. I will send you pictures as soon as it is finished. The school will have Christmas Party by Dec. 20 at Thaime’s Bar and for this we are quit busy here preparing for the event, packing gifts for kids and teachers and games for kids etc. I will send you pictures after the party.

6. The school compound will undergo clean and green drive to beautify the school. This coming Saturday (Dec. 15) we will have flowers and trees planting and rebuilding of the fence of the school. This will be like an environmental day for LS. I will send you pictures of this event as well afterwards.

So far so good, very busy but ok, PPDD also is expanding so that’s another story to tell. Please check out PPDD blogsite every now and then (http://armalindog.blogspot.com) for you to see more pictures and updates of all the developments taking place for PPDD and Light School. Please see attached photos.

Thanks and happy holidays! I will give you update every now and then!

Good luck! Take care all of you!

Best Wishes!
Anna

Call for Application - 2008 International Internship Program

Dear friends and partners:

Greetings! Please find below our call for application for the 2008 International Internship Program. Please help us disseminate the information.

Thank you and good wishes,
International Cooperation Team
518interns@gmail.com


CALL FOR APPLICATION
THE MAY 18 MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The May 18 Memorial Foundation was founded by Gwangju citizens, sympathetic overseas Koreans, and from individuals who sacrificed and got indemnification from the government. It was created on August 30, 1994 by people who believe it’s important to keep the ideas and memories of the 1980 May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising alive and remembered.

The International Internship Program on Human Rights is a program of the Foundation created to contribute in the development of democracy and human rights throughout Asia. It is also an opportunity for interns to learn and experience the history and process of the development of human rights and democracy in South Korea. Specifically the purpose and aim of the program are the following: 1) To improve international solidarity and networking and 2) To promote Gwangju as Asia’s Hub for Human Rights Movement.

The Foundation is looking for two interns who will serve for 10 months from March-December 2008. Applicants female or male should not be more than 25 years of age, with a minimum of 3 years NGO or social development work experience on the issues of human rights, democracy and peace. Must be proficient in English and working knowledge of Korean is an advantage. Must be computer literate (email/internet, blog/web page, lay-out/design, etc).

Living allowance will be provided to successful interns. Housing will be provided for free but utilities (telephone/internet, electricity, and gas) will be paid for by interns. The Foundation will pay for the round trip airfare of interns.

Please download the application form if you are interested to apply from any of these links/sites:

http://eng.518.org/main.html?TM18MF=B04&bc_table=ENG_NOTICE&form_act=V&bnum=38&page=1



http://themay18.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/call-for-application-2008-international-internship-program/

Deadline of application is on 15 January 2008. Short listed applicants will be emailed for an online/webcam interview through Skype or Yahoo messenger.

Visit our blogsite archive to learn more about the internship program – 518interns.blogspot.com

518 Nominated to the OneWorld's Person of 2007

Ms. Anna Malindog, Executive Director of PPDD nominated The May 18 Memorial Foundation for the Oneworld's Person of 2007 - Nominate a Trailblazer, check out the link below:

http://oneworldus.civiblog.org/blog/_archives/2007/11/27/3377573.html#1052271

Thanks Anna for the nomination.

This is the call for the award:
OneWorld's Person of 2007 - Nominate a Trailblazer

Who do you think should be OneWorld's "Person of 2007"? Maybe it's someone who was working at the grassroots to bring change to their community or their country. Maybe someone working to improve governments' policies towards marginalized people. Or someone who raised issues that others were neglecting.

Al Gore came in second place last year, after a close vote where OneWorlders chose Dr. Rashad Zidan and the women of Iraq as the People of the Year, for "their tireless work to keep families together through the terrors of war." Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf certainly deserves some consideration this year for what she's done to bring stability to Liberia after years of war. What about Muhammad Yunus, the "father" of microfinance? Or Matt Flannery, the founder of kiva.org, which is bringing microfinance into the living rooms of the United States.

It doesn't have to be a single person either. Is there a corporation, an organization, or other group you'd like to nominate? The founders of Skype were nominated last year, for "helping connect people from all around the world." So was the town of Kinsale, Ireland, which has adopted a plan to wean itself off of fossil fuels. How about Bill Clinton? Hillary?

We'll leave it there. Now you tell us who you would nominate for OneWorld's Person of 2007 -- and why! Leave your nomination(s) in the comment fields below by Wednesday, December 19.

Please enquire about the death threats to Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi of the PVCHR

From: AHRC Urgent Appeals
Date: Dec 4, 2007 7:42 PM
Subject: INDIA: Human rights activist facing threats for reporting cases in Uttar Pradesh
To: pvchr.india@gmail.com


URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal



4 December 2007
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UA-335-2007: INDIA: Human rights activist facing threats for reporting cases in Uttar Pradesh

INDIA: Threats to human rights activist; corruption; intimidation
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) regarding the recent threats to Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, the convener of the PVCHR in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state. It is reported that Dr. Lenin has been receiving calls over his telephone from unidentifiable telephone numbers threatening him that if the PVCHR continue reporting cases of hunger and starvation deaths from Uttar Pradesh state he will be shot dead and that the staff of the PVCHR will be implicated in false cases and the organisation forced to close down.

CASE DETAILS:

The AHRC has been contacted by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi at 8:21pm Hong Kong time today that he has been receiving anonymous life threatening calls in his mobile phone since 4:45pm, Indian Standard Time (IST). The callers are reportedly threatening Dr. Lenin that he would be shot dead and that the staff of the PVCHR charged with fabricated cases and his organisation, the PVCHR, forced to close down since the PVCHR has been reporting cases of starvation deaths and malnutrition from the Uttar Pradesh state, India.

In the past two years the PVCHR has been instrumental in reporting cases of starvation and malnutrition from Uttar Pradesh, of which the case of Pritam, a three-year-old boy from Ambedkarnagar district of the state, who died from starvation on 25 November 2007, has been widely reported in the state as well as national media. Since the media started covering the news, the local staff of the PVCHR who has been working in the village where Pritam lived, Mr. Manoj Kumar, also has been receiving threats. For further details regarding this case, please see UA-333-2007.

Once the news regarding Pritam's death started coming out through the media, print and electronic, the other political parties in the state also have taken up the opportunity to sling dirt at the state administration. The state Chief Minister Ms. Mayawathi has appeared in all television news channels at about 1pm IST alleging that the cases reported by the PVCHR are false and inflated. The cases reported by the PVCHR are based on authentic documents, which also include medical certificates from local hospitals concerning the physical condition of each victim.

THE AHRC IS ALSO IN POSSESSION OF THESE DOCUMENTS AT OUR HONG KONG OFFICE, SINCE THE PVCHR FROM THE BEGINNING WAS EXPECTING THIS BACKLASH BY THE STATE ADMINISTRATION.

It is unfortunate that state administration is denying the cases reported by the PVCHR and the AHRC, instead of taking immediate actions against the corrupt government officers, who by criminal neglect in their duty, has pushed innocent children and poor persons to die from starvation in the state.

The AHRC is aware that the state administration led by Ms. Mayawathi has in the past has taken strict actions upon cases that were reported by the AHRC and the PVCHR, which has resulted in improvement of the living conditions of the poor and vulnerable communities in the state. The AHRC and the PVCHR expects that the state administration would immediately contact Dr. Lenin to assess the situation and would take all necessary precautions to safeguard the life and security of Dr. Lenin, the PVCHR and its staff.

For further information regarding some of the cases reported by the PVCHR in 2007 please see HU-002-2007, HA-004-2007, HA-005-2007, HA-006-2007, HA-008-2007, HA-009-2007, HA-010-2007, HA-011-2007, HA-012-2007, HA-013-2007, HA-014-2007 and HA-015-2007. For further cases please see the website of Urgent Appeals.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities mentioned below expressing your concern about the incident and calling for an urgent intervention in the case. The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders calling for an intervention in this case.

To support this appeal, please click here:

Sample letter:

Ms. Mayawati
Chief Minister
Chief Minister's Secretariat, Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91-522-2230002/2239234
Email: csup@up.nic.in

Dear Chief Minsiter,

INDIA: Please enquire about the death threats to Dr. lenin Raghuvanshi of the PVCHR

Name of the victim: Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Convener, the PVCHR, SA4/2A, Daulatpur, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh
Date of incident: November 4, 2007 at about 4:45pm (Indian Standard Time)

I am writing to express my concern regarding the case of Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, the convener of a local human rights organisation based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Lenin, as you might be aware, is the convener of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR). I am informed that at about 4:45pm, Indian Standard Time, Dr. Lenin started receiving anonymous calls on his mobile telephone threatening him that he will be shot dead and that fabricated cases would be registered against the staff of the PVCHR and that the PVCHR will be forced to close down since the PVCHR has been bringing shame to the state. It is unfortunate that you, as the Chief Minister of the state, have appeared on all major television channels alleging that the PVCHR and the AHRC has been reporting false cases from Uttar Pradesh just hours before Dr. Lenin started receiving anonymous threatening calls.

I am informed that the copies of the records like medical certificates of the victims of all the cases reported by the PVCHR from Uttar Pradesh has been also transferred to the AHRC office in Hong Kong for their verification and safe custody on a regular basis.

I am informed that the state administration in the recent past was in fact positively responding to all the cases reported by the PVCHR and the AHRC. I am also aware that, after the recent change in the state administration, in several cases the Chief Minister's office has directly intervened to resolve the issues of poor villagers whose cases were brought to the attention of your office by the PVCHR and the AHRC.

I hope that in this case too your office will positively respond, thereby taking all immediate precautions to ensure the safety of Dr. Lenin and the rest of the staff at the PVCHR. I am informed that the AHRC has already communicated this matter to the office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders calling for an intervention in this case.

I therefore urge you to take immediate steps through your office to ensure that:

1. A written complaint is recorded regarding the anonymous life threatening calls received by Dr. Lenin;

2. That the state administration will do everything legally possible to ensure the safety of the field activists of the PVCHR, and;

3. That the state administration will ensure that the work of the PVCHR in Uttar Pradesh state will continue unhindered.

I hope that you will take appropriate actions in this case at the earliest.

Yours sincerely,

---------------------

PLEASE ALSO SEND A COPY OF YOUR LETTER TO:

1. Ms. Veena Kumari
District Magistrate
Varanasi, Kachahari, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91 542 2501450

2. Mr. Shripad Sirodakar
Senior Superintendent of Police
Varanasi, SSP Office, Kachahari, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
E-mail: sspvns@up.nic.in

3. Dr. Kashmir Singh
Inspector General of Police
Varanasi Zone
Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
E-mail: igzonevns@up.nic.in

4. Mr. Vikram Singh
Director General of Police
1-Tilak Marg, Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91 522 2206120, 2206174
E-mail: police@up.nic.in

Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)
-----------------------------------------------

Asian Human Rights Commission
19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building,
998 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367




--
Dr. Lenin (Ashoka Fellow)
Mobile:+91-9935599333
Please visit:
http://www.universalrights.net/heroes/display.php3?id=101
www.pvchr.org
www.webspawner.com/users/pvchr
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.sapf.blogspot.com
www.antiwto.blogspot.com
www.rtfcup.blogspot.com
www.dalitwomen.blogspot.com
www.lenin-shruti.blogspot.com

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/930408838

Call for “Cancel One-semester Suspension of Lee Song Yong” Petition

Please support the call of DEMA !



Dear All,

DEMA had initiated an online petition on PetitionOnline. com that call for cancellation on one semester suspension of Lee Song Yong.

We calls upon the UPM to cancel the unreasonable punishment towards Lee, state the checking procedure of security guard and take action against the security officers who had abused their power.

We hope you could spend a moment and consider signing the petiton. Please take a look and support this online petition on

http://www.petitiononline.com/notoUUCA/petition.html

The petition is directed to Y. B. Dato’ Mustapa bin Mohamed (Higher Education Minister of Malaysia).

Thanks for your support.

Best Wishes,

Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)

VOTE 4 IROM SHARMILA - Unsung Hero

Sharmila has been nominated for the Indian of the Year award...It is given by NDTV and LIC. the polling has already started...

the last date being 1st December 2007.

you can vote here..

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/poll_ioy2007.aspx

scroll down to unsung heroes category...

or

SMS in India : To vote for Irom Sharmila
sms I 29 to 56388
SMS in UK : To vote for Irom Sharmila
sms I 29 to 63880
SMS in UAE : To vote for Irom Sharmila
sms I 29 to 6388
Phone : Dial 5056388

People`s Dialogue on Peace Building in Manipur

IMPHAL, Nov 17: Issues relating to peace building in Manipur, with particular emphasis on the role that the public and civil society must play, were thoroughly examined today in a one-day workshop held at the GM Hall, Imphal.

The workshop, `People`s Dialogue on Peace Building in Manipur from Religious and Civil society`s Prespective was organised by the People`s Initiative for Peace, Manipur.

Dr Lenin Raghuvamshi, joint winner of the Gwangju Human Rights Award 2007 along with Irom Sharmila, participated in the workshop, and in his address strongly emphasised the need to guarantee the full democratic and human rights of citizens for any peace process to be meaningful.

Dr Ksh Bimola, dean of social science, Manipur, gave the key note address, observing that the pain of conflict has been felt in Manipur for a long time, and the people of the state have a broad feeling that this should stop.

People don`t feel that violence arising out of conflict cannot bring any solution, and they feel that it is time to act and speak out for peace. The formation of the PIPM prompted by this need, she said, adding that the PIPM feels that not only the path of violence should be abandoned, but a real new start needs to be made for Manipur.

Various speakers, including Maulana Sayed Ahmed, Jameut-Ulma, Chand Thingmei, development secretary, Manipur Baptist Convention, Dr Hawlngm Haokip, president ALM, Prabhu Manamali, ISKCON, Pradeep Phanjoubam, editor, IFP, Laingam, secretary All Manipur College Teachers Association, and AK Kom, secretary, UCM, spoke on peace building in Manipur from different prespectives.

A draft declaration was adopted at the end of the meet, which took the stance that real and lasting peace can only be achieved by involving civil society directly in the peace process, and stressed the need to guarantee democratic and internationally agreed human rights of civilians, and give them the role they deserve in the peace process.

The declaration appealed to the political leaders in Manipur and the government of India to help stop violence and save the lives of the civil population, and strongly urged that military forces should work according to the legal framework of the country, and as well international treaties on humanitarian law.

It further urged all insurgent groups to prevent, and stop the violence in Manipur and look for alternative ways of responding to the demand and interests they want to represent.

It further appealed to all the people of Manipur to help prevent and avoid violence and speak out for peace and move forward for a process of building peace.

The declaration called for the repeal of the AFSPA, in conformity with the long-felt needs and demands of the people which is supported by the Justice Reddy review committee report.

It also took the stance that peace process should be started that includes all citizens of Manipur, and called for taking up a programs for demobilisation, disarmanent and rehabilitation. It also sought initiation of a support program for orphans, widows and women affected by violence, immediate and independent monitoring of the human rights situation in Manipur, and supported a free press, protected from corruption and violence.

It also stressed the importance of providing education for all, creation of employment opportunities, and guaranteed access to land, and called for a state-wide program to fight corruption.

It was stressed the need for inclusion of women in decision making bodies, and the development of a structure where all civil society can share roles and responsibilities for peace.

Observe 19th November as nation wide protest against continuation of AFSPA!!

From: NPMHR Delhi <npmhrlink@gmail.com>
Date: 14 Nov 2007 15:50
Subject: Observe 19th November as nation wide protest against continuation of AFSPA!!
To: NPMHR South <npmhr_south@yahoo.co.in>

Please join a protest on

19^th November against AFSPA
outside Peary Lal Bhavan (ITO),

New Delhi

between 2 and 4 pm

Organized by

Manipur Students Association, Delhi (MSAD),

Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS),

Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR),

People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR)

NO MORE ARMY RULE!

DEMAND REPEAL OF ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL) POWERS ACT, AFSPA

FRIENDS,

• Why is it that nearly 40 million people in North East and Kashmir live under army rule?
• Why is it that in some parts, this army rule has continued unabated for nearly 60 years?
• How can a country which boasts itself as the largest democracy justify army rule and continue to suppress its citizens?

Friends, Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act is a law which gives the state just such a license: a license to kill with impunity, to shoot at sight anyone on mere suspicion, to occupy or destroy any building, to enter any home and to arrest anyone without a warrant. A license that is available to even a non commissioned army officer of the lowest rank. And to take such action the officer needs no permission from a superior and is not answerable to anyone. And it is not easy to prosecute the security forces for offences as the Act provides immunity to them. Wherever such absolute power exists, those empowered turn criminal. So, rapes, torture, custodial deaths, enforced disappearances or fake encounters happen and happen repeatedly, precisely because guilty officials know that the law protects them.

Beginning in 1958 when it was enacted, today the Act covers most of North East and Jammu and Kashmir. Both the enactment and its long duration have been justified on the grounds that the North East and Kashmir are disturbed areas and therefore need a strong law to tackle militancy and insurgency. But consider for a moment the following:

• Should peoples’ aspiration be dealt with militarily? More importantly, should the Indian state, or for that matter, any democratic state, demand subjection and loyalty at the point of a gun? Occupational rule is never just or desirable. And this is precisely what AFSPA does. Today, as many as 11 lakh security personnel are deployed in North East and Kashmir.
• Coercion and military might, can and does suppress people and the extensive use of the AFSPA is proof of this. Be it the Oinam massacre in the 80s, operation Rhino in the 90s, or the Patharibal massacre and rape and torture of Manorama in this decade, army rule is accompanied with a history of heinous offences which no government can justify.
• Besides killing and torturing ordinary civilians in the name of militancy, the brutality with which the forces treat families of militants is reprehensible. This is what the security forces are currently doing in Assam, Manipur and Tripura.
• But political aspirations and convictions are not determined by length of the gun or strength of bullet. If anything, long-term army deployment alienates people instead of convincing them. Continuous protests by the Kashmiri people over widespread crimes committed by the security forces and the lack of any justice to the people against these crimes is a fact that the rest of the nation cannot deny. Protests over Manorama’s rape and murder by the Maira Paibis and the long agitation in Manipur, equally, tell us that army rule is not acceptable.
• When political solutions are sought, if unaccompanied with sincerity on the part of the government, the possibility of lasting peace recedes. The decade long ceasefire between the Indian government and the Naga people has not meant either withdrawal of AFSPA or reduction in deployment of forces. As a result, the armed forces, have entrenched themselves even more firmly within Naga society.

People have protested against this infamous and draconian Act. People have protested time and again. Irom Sharmila’s heroic resistance in the form of hunger fast since 2000 is very well known. But why haven’t successive governments paid heed to these protests? Simply, because no government has genuinely engaged with the question of people’s aspirations. Moreover, all governments believe in the rule of the strong state. Therefore, by leaving the need of opposing AFSPA to only those who are affected by it, we will aid the present government in believing that there’s nothing wrong in using this draconian law.

There is only one-way: a united protest by all against AFSPA – for its unconditional repeal.

Observe 19^th November as nation wide protest against continuation of AFSPA.

Oppose military rule in Pakistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh

Support people’s struggles against military regimes

Manipur Students Association, Delhi (MSAD), Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS), Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR)

Join protest dharna on 19^th November against AFSPA outside Peary Lal Bhavan (ITO), New Delhi between 2 and 4 pm

REPEAL

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act -- AFSPA

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA) is one of the heinous draconian legislations that the Indian Parliament has passed in its history. In a brief discussion that lasted for merely three hours in the Lok Sabha and for a paltry four hours in the Rajya Sabha, the Parliament approved the Armed Forces (Assam- Manipur) Special Powers Act with retrospective from 22 May 1958.

Under this Act, all security forces are given unrestricted and unaccounted power to carry out their operations, once an area is declared ‘disturbed’. Even a n

on-commissioned officer is granted the right to shoot to kill based on mere suspicion that it is necessary to do so in order to ‘maintain the public order’. Section 6 of the AFSPA provides them with absolute impunity for all atrocities committed under the AFSPA. A person wishing to file suit against a member of the armed forces for abuses under the AFSPA must first seek the permission of the central government. This basically vests complete impunity to the armed forces.

This Act gives a complete carte blanche to the security forces and not surprisingly it has been severely abused and misused in various conflict areas of northeastern India. For example in Kohima in 1995, the Rastriya Rifles mistook the sound of a tyre-tube burst from their own convoy as a bomb attack and began firing indiscriminately in the town. The firing lasted for more than one hour, resulting in the death of seven innocent civilians (including two girls aged 3 ½ and 8 years old), 22 were also seriously injured.

Similarly, special anti-terrorist legislations like POTA and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2005 have created a politico-legal system that encourages abuse by security agencies. POTA was extensively abused to victimize the minorities and other marginalized sections of the society as is evident from its selective use against the accused persons in the Godhra case. At the time of its repeal, more than 500 cases of POTA were pending in Gujarat alone and all against religious minorities. It was also widely misused for political vendetta as demonstrated by the arrest of MDMK leader, Vaiko by the Tamil Nadu police on extremely flimsy grounds. It must also be noted that the cases registered under the Act subsist even after the repeal of the Act.

The UAPA Act, which came after the abolition of POTA, is a virtual replica of its infamous predecessors. It retains almost all the infamous provisions of POTA like the wide and open-ended definition of terrorism, and the provisions on terrorist organization and guilt by association. In addition, it has explicably added a new chapter on “terrorist organizations” when the original Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act had an elaborate framework for outlawing “unlawful organizations”. Such a declaration was to come into effect only after confirmation by a tribunal consisting of a high court judge. The absence of similar safeguards in the new statute is extremely critical and paves the path for several abuses.

The AFSPA has sparked widespread and repeated protests against its brutalities and abuses in various conflict areas. There were massive protest campaigns in Manipur in 2004 against the Act after the “rape and killing” of Ms Manorama Devi allegedly by the security forces. The Government of India tried to quell the mounting moral and political pressure by constituting a Committee to Review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

In October 2006, the human rights community in India was surprised at the disclosure by The Hindu newspaper in which it reported that it had managed to secure a copy of report by Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (the Commission). The Commission, established by central government in November 2004, and headed by Retired Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy, presented its report to the Government in June 2005. Since then the human rights community had tirelessly called for its findings to be released officially.

One positive aspect of the Commission’s recommendations is that the Commission calls for repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). In addition, the Commission recommends that some of the excessive powers granted to the armed forces under AFSPA be abolished - for instance, the authority to use lethal force against any person contravening laws or orders “prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons”. The legislation proposed by the Commission also includes the “Do’s and Don’ts” attached to AFSPA, and rendered binding law by the Supreme Court, and which impose certain restraints on the behaviour and powers of soldiers deployed under the Act.

Armed Forces Special Powers Act must be understood as an instrument through which the Indian State has ignored political solutions to the questions of autonomy in the region and instead, resorted to increased militarisation to curb all such struggles. There is a need for the human rights community and civil society organizations to view the organic linkages between AFSPA and underpinning questions of impunity, militarization, and pervasive undermining of democracy in North East and Kashmir.

There is an urgent need to demand:

· Unconditional Repeal of AFSPA; and non-retainment of any part of the Act.

· Repeal UAPA

· Rigorously protect the civilian population from violent crimes, including terrorism, and prosecute suspected criminals within the framework of criminal law in conformity with international human rights law and standards;

· Unless war breaks out, ensure that the armed forces operate under strict control of civilian authorities, and are not granted any powers beyond those of civilian law enforcement agencies.

· Amend Section 19 of the Protection of Human Rights Act which prohibits the NHRC and State Human Rights Commissions from independently investigating allegations of human rights violations by the armed or paramilitary forces personnel.

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK

Annual Commemoration For The Disappeared

October 27th Annual Commemoration For The Disappeared

Families of the Disappeared, Sri Lanka

The event organized annually by the Families of the Disappeared (FOD), was organized this year combined with Law and Society Trust ( LST ), Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust ( NTT ),Inform and Center for Peoples Diologue ( CPD )

The religious ceremony with a Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and catholic priest , started the commemoration at 0930.

Two speeches were presented by the president (FOD) and the president of “The Injured Persons organization in Gwangju “ representing the May 18 Memorial Foundation- Gwangju- Korea Republic.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation donated two computers and a printer to the FOD.


The booklet” Clarifying the past &Commemorating SriLanka’s Disappeared” Published jointly by FOD, HumanRights Data Analysis Group, BeneTech (USA) and International Center for Transitional Justice was presented to the May 18 Memorial Foundation delegation, to the Clergy, Organizations representatives and to some family members of the disappeared. The full expenses for the book was beard by Ben Tech and ICTJ.

Then a picket was held in front of the monument, for about 15 minutes to show the responsible people and specially the government the anger against the disappearances and demanding the justice for the families of the disappeared.

“ Sadu Jaanarawa” the veteran singer Mr. Jayathilaka Bandara sang few songs in the memory of the disappeared.

The flower offering was the next event.


After that the alms giving to Buddhist monks was held at the nearby temple. Then the lunch was served to the participants.

About 340 attended and 22 representatives attended on behalf of the organizations.



The Conference



It was started at YMCA auditorium at 1330.

Participants -160

Organizations – 16

Political parties -03

It was started with a presentation about the disappearances and then followed on with sharing experiences of a mother, a child and a young wife from North and East.

Rev. Fr.Sathyawail shared his experiences about the North and East. The president Of the FOD, Mr. Brito Fernando raised some questions about the past and present activities against the disappearances saying finding the true answers to them will be helpful to organize our future activities.

Three speeches were given by the leaders of the three political parties, Dr. Wickramabahu Karunsarathna –New Left Front, Member of the Parlimant, Mr. Mano Ganeshan- Western People’s Front, Mr. Siritunga Jayasooriya – United Socialist Front, the presidential candidate at the last presidential elections.

They said the government should bear the responsibility for the disappearances taking place .The war is the main reason for the disappearances and we all should fight against the war if we want to stop the disappearances and it is a must. They all said though it is not that easy yet we should try to build a coalition to fight against this most cruel offence against the humanity.

Mr. Sudarshana Gunawardana spoke on behalf of the organization “ Rights Now “


A lively discussion took place with the family members, organization representatives and other individuals taking part.

After the discussion what were said was briefly put in writing with the demands for which we all agreed to campaign together in the future.

15 organizations signed the document and agreed to work together in the future. November 15th was agreed to meet again for further discussions and to invite the other organizations also to work together. The Document signed by 15 organizations is attached herewith.

The conference was over at 1830.

This event was supported by NTT, FLICT and The May 18 Memorial Foundation, Gwangju, Korea.

Families of the Disappeared






The speech for the Annual Commemoration for the Disappeared in 2007

First of all, I am very pleased to join in your significant event as a representative of Gwangju, Republic of Korea. My name is Kim Hu-sik, a president of the May 18 Resistance Association and also a board member of The May 18 Memorial Foundation.

I suffered and got wounded during the May 18, 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising because we were against the violence of dictatorial government. We also struggled hard for justice, rectify truth and regain the reputation of the patriots of May 18 for the last twenty-seven years. Today, standing here before you, it is very great honor for me as a Gwangju representative to deliver a speech at your annual commemoration for the Disappeared this year 2007.

In the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, the citizens struggled against the violence committed by the government. But we have regained and win back the reputation of the people wanting freedom and democracy. So like you we are also commemorating the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising so the people will not forget those who offered their for our present liberty. However, I am very sad and so sorry that Sri Lanka is still in the process of finding out the truth and regaining the reputation of those who sacrificed their life for democracy.
We in Gwangju at that time got support from the world in recovering back and rectifying the proper image and reputation of May 18. The May 18 Memorial Foundation have been supporting your annual commemoration for the Disappeared since 2001 and cooperating with the Families of the Disappeared. I believe that solidarity and education programs here in Asia is another way to for Korea to maintain its legacy as a truly democratic nation. Without developing human rights and democracy in its neighborhood, we won't prosper and continue to develop our own Democracy in Korea.

However, the most important thing is your effort. You should continue with your effort to investigate the truth of the disappeared and to regain the disappeared´s good reputation. Unity and cooperation or solidarity is very important in this struggle. We have to realize that it is very challenging to achieve victory in our struggles for human rights and democracy. But we all have to keep our hope burning to realize our dreams.

Once again, I am very happy to be here with you in your annual commemoration for the Disappeared for 2007. Lastly, I give my thanks to the hosts of this event. Thank you.

Our commitment to struggle together against enforced disappearances

Enforced disappearances are one of the gravest crimes against humanity and should not be tolerated under any circumstances. One of the worst aspects of a disappearance, from the point of view of the family, is the unending grief, due to the lack of official acknowledgement of the fact that a loved one has actually disappeared, leaving no trace of what has happened to them.

October 27th 1989 was the day that Free Trade Zone worker Ranjith was shot and burnt at Raddoluwa junction. The killing of his legal advisor and the FTZ workers, and thousands of others who disappeared during that time, has been commemorated annually on 27th October since 1991.

Today, on 27th October 2007, 18 years after that tragic event, we have come together as family members of those subjected to enforced disappearances, in the late 1980s, 1990s and in 2006-2007, as Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, and other concerned individuals and groups, to share our grief, to stand together and to voice our opposition to this dreadful phenomenon that continues to grip our country.

Sri Lanka, home to great religious and spiritual traditions, first came to be known internationally as one of the countries in the where enforced disappearances happen on a mass scale in the late 1980s, particularly in the South of the country. This was in the context of the then regime’s brutal crackdown on the JVP insurgency, and young Sinhalese men were the main victims. In the 1990s, enforced disappearances became a regular occurrence in the North and East of the country, this time, in the context of successive regimes’ attempts to deal with Tamil militancy. This time, Tamil men and women were the main victims. The ceasefire of 2002 gave hope that these would finally come to a halt, but even as the international community said a firm NO to enforced disappearances by adopting the UN International Convention against Enforced Disappearances, this grave human rights violation reared its ugly head again in Sri Lanka, this time in the North, East and South of the country.

We know that a number of commissions and committees had been appointed to look into disappearances since the 1990s up to 2007. But some of their most important reports have not been published. Their recommendations have been ignored. Investigations and prosecutions have not been pursed based on their findings and, as a result, disappearances continue to happen on a large scale till today.

It is our wish that other families in Sri Lanka, and indeed all over the world, will never have to endure the immense pain inflicted on us by the enforced disappearances of loved ones, and not knowing what happened to them for years and years.

In addition to the enduring pain of losing loves ones, we note with sadness that family members of disappeared have to continue to struggle to live in dignity till today. We are pained to know that some family members, who wanted to attend this event today, could not do so due to poverty. Recommendations of government appointed commissions and our own work has not been able to ensure reasonable and equitable compensation, other assistance and justice for the family members of the disappeared.

It is with great regret that we realize that our past work against this phenomenon has not been enough to put a stop to this heinous crime against humanity.

Today, as family members of disappeared, human rights defenders, academics, political party representatives and Sri Lankans, we commit ourselves to join hands to continue this struggle. In particular, we commit ourselves to work together with family members of those disappeared, whether they are Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim and from all parts of the country.

We also take this opportunity to call all those responsible for enforced disappearances to immediately halt this terrible practice.

In particular, we call on the government to:

1. Acknowledge the large number of disappearances that have been reported since 2006, conduct credible investigations, prosecute alleged perpetrators and inform all concerned, particularly family members of disappeared, as to what had happened;

2. Not to heap further suffering on the family members by dismissing complaints on disappearances;

3. Immediately make public unpublished reports submitted to the President by various commissions of inquiry – in particular, the report presented by the Mahanama Tillekeratne Commission in 2007 and the unpublished sections of the report by the All Island Presidential Commission of Inquiry to inquire into enforced disappearances that was appointed in 1998 and presented to the then President in 2002;

4. Pay attention to the welfare of family members of the disappeared in late 1980s and 1990s, particularly by ensuring that they are given adequate compensation and other forms of assistance without any sort of discrimination

5. Take immediate steps to implement the recommendations made by the various Presidential Commission of Inquiries appointed to investigate enforced disappearances and the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances;

6. Amend the Penal Code to include the crime of disappearance and the concept of command responsibility within it;

7. Accept offered international assistance to address the issue of enforced disappearances by responding positively to the pending request since 2006 by the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances to visit the country;

8. Ratify UN International Convention Against Enforced Disappearances.

9. Establish an office of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Sri Lanka at least until the situation get better and to show the good will of the government under the leadership of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa who opposed the disappearances with us in 1989 to 1991 period

With the Solidarity of the Families Of the Disappeared

1. Human Rights Citizen’s Committee
2. SETIC – Kandy
3. Human Rights organization – Athugalpura
4. Young Christian Workers
5. Deevara Diriya Organization – Dickwella
6. United Socialist Party
7. Organization of the Members of the Disappeared Families
8. Law and Society Trust
9. Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust
10. Right to Life Human Rights Center
11. Rights Now
12. Center for Peoples Dialogue
13. Inform
14. Center for society and Religion
15. (Samagi Kirieme saha Sama Anshya)

Together in solidarity with families of the disappeared,