Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

EDITORIAL

COVER STORY

Country Situation

India
Indonesia
Sri Lanka

FEATURE ARTICLE

JAKARTA CONFERENCE

BOOK REVIEW

FILM REVIEW

REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL LOBBYING

YEAR-END REPORT

Against Involuntary Disappearances

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

Against Involuntary Disappearances

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

Against Involuntary Disappearances

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

Against Involuntary Disappearances

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

Against Involuntary Disappearances

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

Against Involuntary Disappearances

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

Against Involuntary Disappearances

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

Against Involuntary Disappearances

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

COUNTRY SITUATION: Kashmir, India

A Tribute to Aasia and other Kashmiri Martyrs...
by Tabassum Ishtiaq¹

Srinagar, On April 20, peace activists from India and abroad in a seminar organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) called upon both the governments to honor the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir.

            Hailing from different states across the country, all gathered here under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), to mark the death anniversary of the human rights activist Aasia Jeelani who died during election monitoring in a landmine explosion in Kupwara district on April 20, 2004.

            In memory of all those who lost their lives, their dignity, people who disappeared and those who continue to suffer during the past 15 years of the movement for self-determination, the JKCCS has commemorated the 20th April as a day of solidarity. It is a remembrance of all those sufferings caused by the security forces against a movement that supported the democratic demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are the principal parties in the dispute and whose wishes must be ascertained for a just solution to emerge and be considered legitimate.

            On that occasion all the eminent speakers emphasized the role of the Kashmiri people as the prime party in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Mr. Parvez Imroz, president of JKCCS, asserted that the only peaceful democratic solution is to acknowledge the inalienable right of the people of J&K i.e. the right of self- determination and demanded a repeal of the draconian laws, a lifting of section 144 of the CrPC, constitution of the independent enquiry commission, abiding by International humanitarian laws and the support of the world community.

            Paying homage to the martyrs of the Kashmiri struggle early in the morning of the 20th April, all activists vowed to lend their support to the movement followed by a daylong seminar and candle light vigil as a tribute to all sufferers of violence.

            The draft position passed at the end of “solidarity day” stated: “ while we condemn any infraction of rules of war by the conflicting parties, we would be remiss if we do not understand it in its social and historical context. Violence didn’t enter Indian held territory of Jammu and Kashmir in 1988-89 when armed militants emerged. Violence has been used by the Indian state since 1947 to deny the people what was promised them.

            “Let us recall that hundreds of people lost their lives on August 9, 1953. Subsequent history highlights how the Indian government, through manipulation and machination, rode roughshod over every peaceful political manifestation including fighting elections, which attempted to force the Indian government to live up to its promises.”

            “Each of these political movements,” the draft said, “were suppressed, outlawed or simply ignored. Throughout these five decades, the Indian army maintained a heavy presence and laws were enacted to jail people without charge or to prosecute leaders on flimsy grounds in order to destroy the struggle. It was then that some took up arms. If not for the Indian government, violence would not have entered the state. Therefore, while we do not condone every act by militant groups, it would be wrong if the main cause of the violence on the people of Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian government is not recognized.”

            The position paper further says, “It was the decision of the Indian government to suppress a movement brutally, instead of addressing the assertion of a demand for the right to self-determination that took violence to new heights.”

            “The fact of the matter is that cities and villages remain under siege by Indian armed forces whose numbers have remained very high,” the paper said, describing the acknowledgement of the inalienable rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir (right to self- determination) as the only peaceful democratic solution.

            The human rights groups demanded a repeal of the public safety act and a withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and “other draconian laws.” They also demanded the right of democratic dissent and the constitution of an independent inquiry commission to look into enforced disappearances, rapes, custodial executions, torture and other human rights abuses.

            The participants from India were: The Citizens Initiative for Peace, All India People’s Resistance Forum, The Committee of Relatives of Martyrs Andhra Pradesh, People’s Union for Democratic Rights, New Delhi and Pakistan-India People’s Forum for Democracy (West Bengal Chapter). A “Solidarity Day” commenced with the activists visit to the martyrs graveyard at Eidgah where they paid homage to the people who died during the past 15 years of conflict.

            The activists expressed solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and supported the right of self-determination of the people.

            Padama Kumari from Committee of Relatives of Martyrs Andhra Pradesh (AP), who lost her husband in a “fake encounter,“ in Andhra Pradesh and was jailed for five years, said: “On this day in 1981, 13 tribal people were killed in AP while demanding their rights. We observe this day as a solidarity day with those killed. I should have been there, but preferred to be in Kashmir just to tell people here that we are with you in your struggle”.

            Others speakers including Varvara Roa, Karolina, Nawkrin Singh, Main Abdul Qayoom. Parvaz Imroz Gurmeet Singh, Sampat Prakash, Dr Altaf and Zahir-ud-din expressed their views on the Kashmir issue.

            Many lawyers, journalists, students, doctors and human right activists were present for the occasion. The day concluded with the visitors forming a human chain and lighting candles, which they said was a tribute to the people of Kashmir, who have been victims of oppression and suppression.

            Different individuals, groups and institutions from all across the world expressed their solidarity for the cause. In their letters of solidarity, Amnesty International Wageningen, Netherlands, Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor office, Amnesty International London, Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), FEDEFAM, Humanist Committee on Human Rights (HOM) Netherlands, Mumbai Civil Society groups and individuals, Nilo Valerio Foundation, Gender Concerns International, IKV Netherlands, Peace Movement Aotearoa, New Zealand, South Asian Peoples Forum Sri Lanka, Civil Initiative Belarus all expressed their commonality for the Kashmir cause and to all those sufferers of injustice and inhumanity .

The letters of encouragement and support asserted:

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

            “Though the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) mourns their loss, we at the same time proclaim our admiration for their heroism and courage, never yielding to fear despite the “horror of the shade” and the “menace of the years” as the poet William Ernest Henley once wrote. Despite their demise, they remain present, for their death is not the termination of lives, but the fulfillment of their work.

            In their deaths, an inspiration is born, and we who have been left behind are given the supreme responsibility of continuing the values and ideals that Aasia and Ghulam have fought, died and lived for. Thus, we carry a heavy burden, assuming the responsibility of making their loss meaningful and significant—a necessary sacrifice to remind the old and embolden the young and collectively strive for a world free of disappearances.”

FEDEFAM

            “In the long years in all the continents, our work has never been easy. The path that we chose is under the shadow of our beloved colleagues who have been disappeared, assassinated, tortured - many of them have had to be exiled caused by political repression, but we are sure that they will flourish and will pave the way for the dawning of a new day. To families and friends, we send you our embrace filled with strength and we are sure that united, we continue the Struggle for Truth and Justice. We are sure that sooner than later, we are going to achieve the unity of all peoples.”
Initiative: Bombay Civil Society Groups

             “Peace, as we understand, can come only with justice. Neither military, nor militancy can bring in peace if terror and violence is the rule of day. Non-violence brings people together and helps them make decisions for their future, bereft of fear. We support and are involved with such a struggle for justice.”

Inter Church Peace Council (IKV)

            “As European NGO’s of civil society and individual civil society activists, we hereby want to express, on 20th of April 2005, our solidarity with all Kashmiris who struggle for peace and justice, for a self-determined, democratic future.”

Anuradha Bhasin Jamwal, Executive editor, Kashmir Times

            “I, along with my colleagues at The Kashmir Times and Dainik Kashmir Times, express our solidarity with your struggle for peace with justice, dignity and democracy. Both as champions of human rights issues and as people of this state, we affirm our faith in a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute with the participation of its people. The JKCCS has shown the courage and it is hoped this movement grows stronger and more meaningful”.

            Apart from their letters of solidarity, there were also solidarity manifestations all across the globe.

         Filipino Human Rights Advocates in Manila, Philippines commemorated the First Year Death Anniversary of Kashmiri Martyr Aasia Jeelani and driver Ghulam Nabi in which around 50 Filipino human rights advocates gathered together on 20 April 2005, to commemorate the first year anniversary of death and martyrdom of Kashmiri freedom-fighter Aasia Jeelani. Aasia, who was killed in a landmine blast on 20 April 2004, and died along with driver Ghulam Nabi in the village of Chandigam during an election monitoring inspection.

            The Filipino activists brought flowers and photos of Aasia and started an afternoon program of remembrance at the Balay Bayani (Heroes’ House) at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani (Monument of Heroes). The gathering began with a short prayer calling for the eternal repose of the souls of Aasia, Ghulam Nabi and all the martyrs of Kashmir and throughout the world.

            Mary Aileen Bacalso, AFAD Secretary General then gave a short testimony to the life and heroism of Aasia, reading a few sections from an article that she wrote after her visit to Kashmir which appeared in the book Aasia: Martyr of Peace.

            The film documentary entitled Aasia: A Quest for Justice was then shown. After which, Antonio Villasor from the Asian Forum for Food and Development (ACFOD) gave his acoustic rendition of the Beatles song Till There was You dedicating it to Aasia. A Poetry reading session then followed, reading lines from Pablo Neruda, Mary Shelley, William Ernest Henley and other literary giants as a further tribute to Aasia.

            A wreath-laying ceremony then followed at the Wall of Remembrance where the names of all the martyrs during the Martial Law regime are etched.

            Before formally closing the event, all those who gathered sang the popular Filipino protest song Bayan Ko (My Motherland).

            The event was organized by the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) and was attended by the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND), Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, ACFOD, Bubby Dacer Foundation, Claimants 1081, CLRD, Committee for the ICC (CICC), ESCR-Asia, Institute for Electoral and Political Reform (IPER), Partido ng Manggagawa (Workers’ Party), and the Samahan ng mga Anak ng mga Desaparecidos (SAD / Association of the Children of the Disappeared).

PICKETING OF INDIAN EMBASSY JAKARTA, INDONESIA

            “At 11.30 – 12.00 Indonesian time, on April 20, 2005, thirty people representing victims of human rights violations in Indonesia conducted a picket in front of Indian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. The picket was organized by the Indonesian Association of Families of the Disappeared (IKOHI) and the Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence (KONTRAS) in solidarity with the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), and Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) who carried out a series of activities starting today in Srinagar, Kashmir. During the picket, about 15 posters were displayed saying: “Justice for Aasia Jeelani,” “Indonesian People Support Kashmiri People,” “Indian Government Responsible for the 8.000 Disappeared in Kashmir.” “Stop Violence in Kashmir.” “Indian Record in Kashmir: 34.709 Killing, 20.000 Widowing, 8000 Disappearing”, and many others. Three of the posters were with pictures of Aasia Jeelani.

            During the 30 minute picket, 7 people representing IKOHI, KontraS, Muhamaddiyah Student Association (IMM), May 1998 Riot Victims delivered speeches. They emphasized the need of the Indian government to stop the violence in Kashmir by withdrawing the half million troops, that the perpetrators of human rights violations in Kashmir be brought to justice, that the Kashmiri be given their rights to self-determination. Speakers emphasized that the Kashmiri victims of human rights violation were never alone, but united with victims of human rights violations and civil society in Indonesia and other parts of the world. The activity was covered by some printed, radio and online media.”

            In Vienna/ Austria, social activist Eva Maria Teja Mayer organized a lecture on “ Azadi! Freedom!- Report from the civil war in the so-called ‘tourist’s paradise’ of Kashmir.”

            In West Bengal, Pakistan Indian People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy will organize a solidarity manifestation on May 7, 2005.

            In Varanasi, People’s Forum and the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) observed Kashmir Solidarity day.

            In New Delhi, four civil society groups- OTHER MEDIA, INSAF, ANHAD, JAGORI held a meeting in support of the killed and disappeared persons and their families in Jammu and Kashmir.

            In Bombay, a Bombay based civil society group observed a candle light vigil at Church gate.

“Near the snow, near the sun,
in the highest fields
See how these names are feted
by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind
in the listening sky.
The names of those
who in their lives fought for life.
Who wore at their hearts
the fire´s centre.
Born of the sun, they traveled a short while toward the sun
And felt the vivid air
signed with their honour.”

Stephen Spender

1Tabassum Ishtiaq is the editor-in-chief of the Voices Unheared.