Challenges and Way Forward for Democracy and Peace in South Asia*

I attended this conference at Kathmandu and presented a paper on Role of Civil Society for democracy, Peace and Justice.
I prepared this paper with our experiences of Sea Plane Struggle at Negombo lagoon and the work related to Platform for Freedom.[PfF]

Herman Kumara
10.07.11

*Kathmandu Declaration*

We, the delegates from all countries of South Asia representing various
political ideologies, mass organizations, trade unions, civil societies,
NGOs, academia, youths and peopleâ?Ts movements representing women, Dalit,
indigenous peoples and other groups of people met together to deliberate on
the challenges and way forward for democracy and peace in South Asia on
01-02 July 2011 in Kathmandu. We affirm that, ****

South Asia, which is very rich in cultural and natural heritages, is
passing through a difficult period. On the one hand, the inter-state
relationships are marred by different levels of mistrusts, hostility and
conflict, on the other hand, the exogenous forces are adding to the crises
by inflicting militarism, debt domination and securitization. These together
have created a situation of despair and vulnerability. The people lack an
enabling environment for fulfilling their aspirations in a manner which
needs to be bottom-up and participatory. The current model of representative
democracy is mostly benefiting a minority affluent class, while the majority
populations are drowned in deep poverty, exclusion, denial of fundamental
human rights and alienation. Political fragmentation of the region by power
brokers has indeed accelerated this process of deprivation and
underdevelopment. The dominant development paradigm in South Asia which is
being promoted by varieties of international aid architect so far has
grossly failed addressing the aspirations and needs of majority people. **

There is a general consensus among the people of the region that peace is
the only way to shared prosperity and meaningful democracy. They reject the
present â?~growth-oriented development modelâ?T based on indiscriminate
exploitation of human labour and plundering of natural resources that
maintains, promotes and perpetuates patriarchy and discrimination. The
challenge of the time is to put the balance in the right perspective to
ensure optimum participation with economic, social, cultural and ecological
justice.****

The way forward is to link grassroots communities for unified and
continuous struggle for the common cause of shared prosperity and pave the
way for lasting peace. This requires radical changes in the mind-set and the
processes of the present systems of governance in the countries of South
Asia, thus relocating priorities and resources to areas that deliver the
most for the majority of the population. ****

It is of utmost importance to rise against divisive forces that propagate
and promote religious and political extremism, arms race, ethnocide and
racism. The hierarchical social and political structures must be demolished
to foster the era of freedom, peace, gender equality, social inclusion and
justice, which are the ultimate guarantees for sustainable democracy.
02 July 2011
Kathmandu, Nepal

Malaysia: More than 1500 arrested, Brutal Crackdown on Bersih 2.0 Rally Condemned

People's Uprising in every corner being suppressed. We received this alarming message from Malaysia. I would like to add this to my blog as this gives a message of the serious Human Rights violations in Malaysia.

Herman Kumara



The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development strongly condemns the brutal crackdown today on the peaceful rally of Bersih 2.0, a coalition of 62 civil society organizations that is campaigning for electoral reform in Malaysia. More than 1,500 have been arrested, including 16 minors. Among those detained are Maria Chin Abdullah, committee member of Bersih 2.0 and a well-known women’s rights activist and several members of parliament from various opposition parties, namely Tian Chua, Nurul Izzah Anwar and Fuziah Salleh of the People’s Justice Party (PKR), Mohamad Sabu, Mahfuz Omar and Salahuddin Ayub of the Pan Islamic Party (PAS).

Thousands turned up in the rally of Bersih 2.0 in Kuala Lumpur today despite the pre-rally harassment, intimidation and arrest launched by the police in the past two weeks against the leaders and members of Bersih 2.0. Tear gas, baton and water canon laced with chemicals were used widely and indiscriminately against the peaceful protestors.
We are also extremely alarmed that there have been reports that alleged police violent conducts on the protestors. It is reported that tear gas canisters were fired directly into the crowd and injured many. One of the members of parliament, Khalid Samad, was reportedly hit by tear gas canister at the back of his head. Protestors were kicked and manhandled during the arrest process. Among the injured including Anwar Ibrahim, the parliamentary opposition leader, who suffered injury on his head and knees. Such police brutality must not be condoned. We demand the police officers that committed such abuse of powers be investigated and brought to justice.

The call of Bersih 2.0 to reform the electoral system is a legitimate demand. Bersih 2.0 has also sought dialogue with the Election Commission on their recommendations of electoral reform. As the Election Commission refused to improve the electoral system to ensure free and fair election, it is perfectly legitimate for Bersih 2.0 to exercise the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly to highlight the flaws in the electoral system and the demands for electoral reform.

The right of the Malaysian citizen to political participation can only be ensured through a free and fair election. A democratic society would also respect and protect the right to participate in any peaceful assembly, such as the one called by Bersih 2.0. The refusal of the Malaysian government to address the issue through dialogue, the reversal of decision of allowing the Bersih 2.0 to hold the rally in a stadium and the crackdown on the rally today only goes to show that the Malaysian government had no intention at all to allow any democratic challenge to its powers. Instead, the police force is abused to maintain its power.

We demand the Malaysian government to respect and protect the right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the right to political participation. We urge the Malaysian government to release all detainees immediately and unconditionally, especially the 16 minors. For those still in detention, we call on the government to ensure the physical and mental integrity of the protestors while in police custody and allow for immediate and unconstraint access to lawyers, family and medical treatment for all detainees.

For inquiry, please contact:

Yap Swee Seng, Executive Director, mobile: +66 81 8689178

Plight of the displaced People at Mullikulam, Mannar.

Field Visit at Northern Province at Kilinochchi and Mannar
Dates: 2nd -4th February 2011,
Objective: To learn & better understanding about the present situation of the northern people, specifically for the IDPs, their resettlements to work in the future for their rights.
Specific Objectives:
• Identification of villages to work in the future,
• Identify field activists to work in the Northern province,
• Meet the IDP people of Mullikulam, Mannar and to learn their present situation, identify possible collaborative actions in the future,
Team :
 Priyankara Costa > Pradeep Wanigasuriya,
 Francis Raajan > Antony Hesudasan
Jayapuram Village on 2nd February
First of all we visited at Jayapuram village at Kilinochchi district. The access to the village is around 30Km, though we had to travel in a different road around 60 Km due to rainy weather and the difficulties of the road.
We were able to see the destruction of the war while we were travelling to the Jayapuram village. The houses, properties and buildings were totally destroyed. The people who were resettled in the area are living in the temporary shelters covered with 12 tin sheets provided by the UNHCR. With much difficulties, we were reached to Jayapuram village and met the officers of the Punagari fisheries coop federation leadership. The federation leaders explained the present post war conditions and how difficult for them to restart their activities to live as humans. There are around 80% people are resettled in their original villages. But, all of them are living in temporary shelters as they lost their houses. The other 20% are still living in Settikulam displaced camp. However, some people who migrated to India have not returned yet. Also, some of the families are living in Jaffna with their relatives. They haven’t come back to their original villages due to fear for the military and the military bases situated there.
Fisheries and agriculture are the main sources of livelihood though there in no satisfactory program to support them. Although, there are 2000 fisher families living in the village, only 300 families have received some fishing gears for revive their livelihoods. Some minor assistance have been provided for the agriculture programs too. Unemployment is a serious issue in the area and economic difficulties are a common among almost all the families in the village. Women headed families are the most vulnerable, economically, socially and security reasons. Among the women who lost their husband 90% are belong to 18-25 age group.
The Punagari fisheries federation is very much alert on the issues related to bottom trawling. They say, the situation became more serious when the Jaffna and Mannar trawlers are also conduct bottom trawling fishing in their territory. However, the leaders say the difficulty to bring the people together, educate them for their rights, rebuilding their livelihoods, and voice out for the life. Also the fisher leaders emphasized to get the permission from the administration, military for implement any type of work in the area. Working through the fishers federation would be the most appropriate way to reach the people in the area and the leaders are ready to support any activity which is helpful to rebuild the community and their livelihoods.
However, as we observed there is no restrictions to travel in the area. But, when we are implement any development work, there will be restrictions and need the permission from military. As we want to work for the rights of the people, our education and lobby activities will be in danger due to the government imposed rules and regulations in the previous war tone areas. However, amidst all these practical issues, we had selected Mr. Karupaiya Prabakaran for launch the programs in selected villages in Kilinochchi district.

Velkaipetrankandal & Thalvupadu Villages at Mannar
The IDPs who displaced from Mullikulam are living in Velkaipetrankandal and Thalvupadu villages since 2007 till today. The senior security officials have informed that they won’t be back o their village due to security reasons. We were able to meet these people in several occasions and were able to highlight the issues they face in various media and forums. People strongly stick to the idea to get back to their original village and the land they own. However, gradually they have changed their views due to the officials had informed them they will not resettle in their original village which is Mullikulam. Officials have informed that they would get the land from Kayakali area and temporary shelters will also be constructed. So, it was revealed that there were a petition signed by 107 people with their consent to go to the new place of Kayakali. But, it was also a doubtful as some people who live at Thalvupadu says those signatures are not real ones and some how people have signed for them. The reservation because of that the area of Kayakali, it is only fishing only could be carried out. There is a big question of the people who are living in agriculture activities. So, the refused to go to Kayakali. But, government says this is the only land they could provide them for resettlement.
However, the people who agreed to go to Kayakali also say that they will fight for the original lands at Mullikulam. But, there is no practicality for this as government is retaining the land at Mullikulam for army base.
At the same time, Bishop of Mannar is taking another step to resettle those displaced people living at Thalvupadu in his own land at Karavankottai. This is also problematic as government can say that they have completed the resettlement and there is no any displace people to resettle. The people with diverse opinion on their resettlement is an advantage to the government as they can easily divide the people and pressurize them for implement the government plan to retain land at Mullikulam.
Our plan was to unite people to come to a common consensus. Advised the people in two villages to come to common understanding and decide what they are going to do as one united body. For do that, we advised to our field activists to facilitate the unionization of the people and come to agreement among them. Finally, the Thalvupadu people agreed to bring all the displaced people from Mullikulam together and get the views of all the people.
Anthony Jesudasan
15.02.2011

Declaration of South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) Annual General Meeting (AGM)

4-6 September 2010
Nagarkot, Nepal
Fighting Unitedly against Poverty, Hunger and Injustice in South Asia
Context
We, the members of SAAPE from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka met at the AGM from 4-6 Sep 2010 to deliberate on the theme- "fighting unitedly against poverty, hunger and injustices in South Asia" .We affirm our committment to `intervening’ on issues of poverty and exclusion contributing for the eradication of poverty and injustice, rejecting the neo-liberal development paradigm and economic strategies and striving for sustainable alternatives that are pro-poor people’.
Poverty in countries of South Asia is accompanied by disparity. The increase in the number of poor is common in all countries. However, this number only indicates the 'absolute poor'. The number would be far higher if other aspects of a dignified quality of life are considered. The problem of poverty, even in a big country like India that boasts of substantial economic growth, is persistent. Some sections seem to even lapse back into poverty. The situation is thus one of perpetuation of poverty.
There is reason to believe that the ruling elite in all our countries is enamoured by “economic growth” as the “be all and end all” of the development process. On the contrary, ground reality strongly indicates that even when the country registers high growth rate, there is huge exclusion and marginalisation. SAAPE feels that the time has come for all of us to work not only with the exploited classes but also with the excluded social groups.
We are profoundly saddened by several recent incidents which has had long lasting implications for the rights of people and their livelihood. The armed conlfict in Sri Lanka came to an end with a large number of people from Vanni being displaced and held in internment camps with restrictions imposed on their mobility and fundamental freedoms.
The current global crisis of climate change is a big challenge facing the South Asian countries which are witnessing increasing natural disasters causing devastating impacts. The recent floods in Pakistan are disrupting the lives of over 20 million people, nearly 12% of the population and this is a reminder of this gruesome reality.

We appreciate the historic judgement given by the supreme court of Bangladesh reviving secular character of the constitution and declaring past military regimes illegal. The court also made it clear that the World Bank does not enjoy any immunity. At the same time we are disappointed by the fact that the government of Bangladesh has succumbed to the pressure of the factory owners by imposing wages at a level much below the demand of the garment workers.
Democratic and human rights continue to be thereatened with the imposition of new regulations and the curtailment of civil society activities. In the rise of people’s resistance their leaders are threatened, and face extrajudicial killings and disappearances.
We are alarmed that the 18th Amendment to the Constitution in Sri Lanka is facilitating immense powers to the Executive virtually creating a Constituional dictatorship thereby threatening democratic parliamentry norms. It is also regretable that GOSL has failed to provide a long lasting political solution for the ethnic problems/national problems based on an effective power sharing model.
The economic crisis has been used to attack trade union struggles and curtail worker’s rights. We condemn the killing of two trade union leaders in Pakistan.
We condemn ethnic cleansing and demand unconditional release of all the political prisoners and repatriation and rehabilitation of the Bhutanese refugees to their homestead with dignity.
As South Asians, we watched with great appreciation the unique manner in which the Constituent Assembly of Nepal was created. We were particularly overjoyed with the introduction of proportionate representation and equal representation for women, and men in the Constituent Assembly, but today we are disappointed that the work of Constituent Assembly has come to a standstill because of the political impasse. We urge all concerned and especially the members of the Constituent Assembly to rise above narrow considerations reach consensus and put in place a Constitution which will be a trend setter for all other countries in South Asia and beyond. We call for an immediate resolution of the political impasse in Nepal for the consolidation of the democratic processes and introduction of effective agrarian reform
Similarly, we stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and Maldives in their struggle to achieve democracy and long lasting solutions for securing human rights and fundamental freedoms
The region continues to be militarised combined with nuclearisation.
We demand accountability from our political leaders. As demonstrated in Pakistan though natural and human induced calamities are a frequent occurrence in South Asia, the common element in all this is our shocking lack of preparedness (in physical, economic, administrative, legal and other aspects), coupled with a lack of long term vision, especially, to help the excluded groups.

We are disappointed with the south asain governments and SAARC as a body for their failure to develop a common regional disaster management policy and a mitigation plan. We urge the immediate adoption of a common plan and the establishment of a Task Force to handle disaters in the future arising from climate change and global warning.
We also demand the repudiation of all debts of Pakistan and provide the necessary resources and funds for relief and rehabilitation of communities affected by the recent floods.
Ad hoc approaches and an absence of a policy framework for relief and rehabilitation and reconstruction is a denial of the legitimate rights of the survivors. On the other hand, in a democratic polity the right to relief with dignity and development are the fundamental right of every disaster victim and it is the responsibility of the state and civil society to ensure that.

This is also a unique opportunity for South Asian countries to express their solidarity in terms of aid and political solidarity with the beleaguered Pakistan, and develop common disaster management mechanism in line with the relevant SAARC Charter.

Women in South Asia
The majority of women in South Asia remain excluded and impoverished. They form the bulk of the displaced in South Asia. The post conflict situations are fraught with increased insecurity, gender based violence and lack of protection which is directly linked to poverty.
We appreciate the efforts made by Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India to facilitate and recognise the greater and effective participation of women in politics and governance challenging the age old prohibitions of patriarchal ideology through legislative enactments and policies. It is regretable that Sri Lanka has not been able to achieve it’s heights in this regard and wish to express our support to all efforts taken by civil society and women’s groups working for urgent reforms in this area.
It is important to stress the need to respond immediately to specific needs of women affected by floods in Pakistan as our gesture of solidarity to empowerment of women in practice.
International and Regional Power Dimensions
We recognise the need to evolve consistent multi-pronged strategies to combat the influence of globalisation, continuing repression and militarisation in the name of war on terror, growing international re-alignments including India-US, and China, shrinking democratic space, marginalisation of human rights, unsustainable development paradigm.
Our Challenges...
Dominant development models and paradigms have failed. It has exhausted all possibilities. We see the accentuation of deprivation at all levels of the people. We see poverty as deprivation of capabilities of people which deny them freedom and human rights and keep them continously in a state of disempowerment social, economic and political.
We are aware that old slogans are not sufficient for organisation and mobilisation. We need to call for all exlcuded women, dalits, indigenous, all minorities ethnic, religious and linguistic based on our contemporary understanding to unite to struggle against poverty, hunger and injustice.
The fight for entitlements such as employment, food, education, health. housing, human security, social security, dignity and the like needs to be carried out through the agency of the exploited masses as well as the excluded social groups. SAAPE will work with excluded groups and associations of the poor to alert governments on their responsibilities and to bring a collective sense of social responsibility within the region for future reduction of poverty and the attendant risks of living in that condition for the millions of the poor in South Asia.

"India Denies me Visa"-KP's Cousin

http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/news/front-page-news/19958.html
Monday, 30 August 2010 00:57
India had denied a visa to Sinnaiah Thavaratnam, KP’s first cousin, after being chosen to be part of a Lankan fishermen team which toured Tamil Nadu to discuss bilateral fishing issues recently.
Thavaratnam, who is the chairman of the Federation of Jaffna District Fishermens’ Associations, told an Indian news agency on Saturday, that he was given no reason for the rejection.
When asked for permission to see a higher officer, it was
denied.“I do not know why they keep denying the visa to me these days. In 2006 too, I was denied. But, my wife was able to get it last year and she toured Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Over the 1980s and 1990s,I had visited India more than 25 times without a problem,” he said.
Asked if it were because he was KP’s first cousin (His father and KP’s father are siblings) Thavaratnam chose not to answer directly, but said that it was wrong to punish him for the deeds of a cousin.
“My wife and I had done a lot for stranded, arrested or wounded Indian fishermen and spent a lot of money on these. I have always spoken for amity between the fishermen of both sides. If I have done anything wrong or against India, I would like to know what it is, and am prepared to correct myself,” Thavaratnam said.
Thavaratnam was out of touch with KP when the latter was abroad working for the LTTE as arms smuggler and funds manager. But he had met KP twice after he was captured in August 2009.
KP on Saturday had said that Thavaratnam was president of his North Eastern Rehabilitation and Development Organisation (NERDO) and that he himself was its Secretary.
But, Thavaratnam told Express that this was not so, and that he was working with NERDO only on issues concerning Jaffna fishermen.
Asked what he thought of the visit of the Lankan fishermen to Tamil Nadu, which he missed, Thavaratnam said that the agreements entered into were good.
“Tamil Nadu fishermen have promised to end trawling in the shallow seas by November 2011. I welcome this,” he said.
(Express News Service)

Herman's Note:
Thaveratnem was the proposed leader to the team visited Tamilnadu India during the 16-24 August. As his visa was denied by Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr.T.Suriyakumar replaced his position and lead the team. However, the SL team was reluctant to proceed as planned with this situation and organizers of NAFSO and ARIF had to take strong position to convince the team to follow the planned actions.

15000 North & East kids study under trees

http://www.lakbimanews.lk/news/laknew1.htm
ARMY CAMPS MUSHROOM
NO APPOINTMENTS FOR TEACHERS
By Rathindra Kuruwita

Fifteen thousand school children in the North and East are compelled to study under trees since schools have been converted into IDP and transit camps and detention centres, while the government spends millions on military bases, education department sources said. The situation is grave in Vavuniya, Omanthai, Maithadi and Kilinochchi where the majority of schools function in temporary shelters with minimal facilities.
"Omanthai Maha Vidyalayam is used as a transit camp for people who are returning to their villages from IDP camps. Although a year has passed after the civil war ended, no steps have been taken by the government to either build new shelters for IDPs, or to rebuild schools in another location," said an education ministry official.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Sri Lanka Teacher Services Union (SLTSU) Mahinda Jayasinghe told LAKBIMAnEWS that there is also a massive dearth of teachers in the North and the East, which is having a negative impact on education. This shortage mainly affects subjects such as English where the education authorities are dependant on pensioners who have been re-enlisted on contract basis.
"Not only are thousands of students continuing their education without buildings, water or sanitary facilities, these schools also need hundreds of teachers," Jayasinghe said. "A lot of teachers who worked in these schools have either left for Colombo or have left the island. Even 14 months after the end of the war the government has not appointed Tamil medium teachers to these areas."
Jayasinghe added that there are over 500 Tamil medium teachers in the 2010 batch at teacher training centres in the island, but none of them have been given appointments because of the lack of funds.
"Each year around 3000 trained teachers are given appointments around this time of the year, but this time that is not the case. Appointment letters are not given since no funds have been allocated in the 2010 budget. This means that thousands of Tamil youth will sit for O/L and A/L exams partially ready."
Meanwhile in a recent visit to Wishwamadu Army Commander Major General Jagath Jayasuriya claimed that with the establishment of new army camps, buildings which have been occupied for security purposes will be returned to schools.

I AM UPLOADING THIS NEWS TO MY BLOG AS THIS REALITY SHOULD BE CHANGED WITH THE INVOLVEMENT OF COMMITTED PEOPLE. SO WE NEED TO FIND THEM IN TO OUR CIRCLES WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM TO THE DISPLACED PEOPLE AND DEMOCRACY TO THE NATION.
Herman Kumara.
08.08.10.

STRAIGHT TALK ACROSS PALK STRAIT - “NO FTAS”!

15 June 2010

A Joint India-Lanka People's Statement for Cultivating Peace and not Free Trade Agreements

Talks towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are to be intensified by the governments of India and Sri Lanka. This is one of the main messages from the joint declaration in Delhi, India between the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse. A joint commission has been revived for the purpose to deepen economic and agricultural ties. The CEPA is likely to be made final and signed by the end of this year.

This CEPA has no social backing and has been met with people's protests on both sides. In the past the two countries have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that came into effect in 2000 and reportedly, the next level of trade relations through a CEPA are to “build on the gains” of the earlier FTA. However, a decade later there are neither official impact studies on either side nor real life evidence to show that trade between the two countries has gainfully bettered people's lives. The FTA was only about trade in goods, but the CEPA will broaden out to cover much more, including services and investment.

Despite PM Singh's call for “inclusive growth” and the President Rajapaksa's Election Manifesto Mahinda Chinthanaya motto that Lankans will produce locally, everything they need; our governments are negotiating several bilateral trade and investment agreements amongst themselves and other countries. In these negotiations, as in Lanka “the government (is) determined to give an opportunity to the business community, industrialists, investors, importers and exporters...to air their views on the CEPA and many other agreements which are scheduled to be signed.” Likewise, in India it is the industry bodies and business associations, such as FICCI and CII, that are consulted. The talks are not made transparent to ordinary people's whose lives and livelihoods are most affected by such bilateral trade and investment agreements. The two sides have now agreed to launch a CEOs Forum, so that business communities can interact. It is the economic and political elites that are able to bargain win-win deals for themselves.

South-South FTAs too must be seen as a continuation of relationships of dominance by powerful players and private corporations. The Indian peoples' experience with the Sri Lankan FTA shows that it has had a devastating impact on agricultural livelihoods in states such as Kerala. The same FTA has also had negative impacts on the Sri Lankan side, which explains the anti-India sentiment even with the proposed CEPA. Trade is thus turning our peoples against each other. Trade rules compel us to compete rather than collaborate. Therefore, the urgent need for a new foundation for fostering relationships amongst the countries in South Asia. Trade can not be the basis for lasting peace in the sub-region.

We, ordinary peoples, farmers' groups, worker unions, trade activists, non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations, representing both India and Sri Lanka, express solidarity with the movements on both sides of Palk Strait that work for genuine friendship across its waters. Till small farmers, fisher folk and local communities from both sides progress, there can be no real peace. In securing that peace, we do not need terms of trade – tariff quotas, import duties, CEPAs, etc. but an agreement to first make peace with the natural resources that support lives, cultures and livelihoods. More trading means more impacts on the planet and our peoples. It is our firm belief that resettlement after the many crises – ethnic, economic and ecological, requires rebuilding local economies that are socially just and ecologically appropriate. Therefore, we do not support any of the trade agreements between the two governments. We however endorse the many “alternatives” that people's themselves are building in partnership, such as on seed, food and farm practices. On our part we commit to work on a people-to-people level to sow peace.



Forum Against FTAs, India | MONLAR, Sri Lanka | GRAIN (International) | La Via Campesina, South Asia