THE RISE OF MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD-A THREAT TO THE WORLD PEACE BY BANGAPATI

Recently the Egyptian politics witnessed a rapid change that came after a period of turmoil and power struggle. Muhammad Morsi, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood was chosen as President and thus the Sunni outfit found a way towards power after a long period of struggle. Egypt, like Iran, had a great pre-Islamic past, which neither Islam nor Greco-Roman culture could suppress. The shadow of this past can be seen in every field of Egyptian life and it gives Egyptian Islam a new identity. The Egyptian Islam, unlike the mainland Arabia, is more expansionist and more cultural. It always tries to suppress its neighbours, especially Israel and in it, we find the expansionist traditions of Pharaos. The Muslim Brotherhood inherited this tradition. It is no longer a regional force. It has branches in almost all the Muslim and in many non-muslim countries. Those branches set up political platforms in these countries to contest election and influence the government. Founded in 1928, the journey of Muslim Brotherhood was not easy. It worked like the RSS of Bharat- a style that ultimately gained recognition. The founder Hassan al-Banna was a poor schoolteacher, who also fought against the British domination in Egypt. Egypt under the British domination witnessed rapid socio-cultural changes that underestimated the traditional Muslim society. To fight it, Banna organised the common Muslims into small units and soon it developed into a large organisation. Its famous slogan was-"Islam is the solution." The British Govt was alarmed by these developments and they tried to control it. But the Brotherhood members established links with other anti-British powers, especially with Nazi Germany and from the latter they learnt the Anti-Jewish propaganda. The propaganda soon spread that the Jews were the agents of the British and hence dangerous enemy of Islam. The Brotherhood members engaged in political murders and conspiracies. The pro-British Egyptian Govt arrested many of them and lastly, Banna was murdered by the British spies in 1949. After the murder, there was a period of chaos. The MB was banned and its membership decreased. But the Govt could not suppress it. It revived during the clash with Israel and after a long struggle elected some of its leaders as independent candidates. In the meantime, the British influence was replaced by the American influence. During the time of Osama bin Laden, the MB was criticised for its democratic view and opposition for the Jihad. However, the MB emerged during 2011 revolt that led to the downfall of Egyptian govt. It set up its political platform in Egypt and for the first time entered parliamentary politics. Some believe that USA was behind the emergence of MB, as it wanted a new status quo in the Middle East. We all know that USA initially supported Laden against the USSR. Later after the fall of Soviet Russia, when Laden was no longer a trusted ally, USA opposed him. This is an old British Game. The creation of Saudi Arabia would not be possible without the British help. Col. T. E. Lawrence was sent with the purpose of separating Arabs from the ruling Ottoman Turks during the World War I. This led to the downfall of the Ottoman Empire. The same game was played when the British-American forces tried to use Israel against the USSR. In Egypt, the story is slightly different. Egypt remains the "magic land" for the Western World since the time of Alexander the Great. The Greeks were followed by the Romans and finally Islam. Interestingly, the Greco-Romans married the Egyptian Women and depended on the Egyptian Governors for administration. The system was much like Judea. When a governor revolted, he was replaced by another. In Modern Times, the French and the British followed the same lines. Thus Egypt was governed by Egyptians loyal to the British rule. Muhammad Morsi is a better candidate in the eyes of America. Few know that he did his Ph. D. from USA, and his wife lives in USA with her children. Thus he is not anti-USA, nor he is going to attack America. Then why the change came ? The America wanted it coz they realised the importance of an ally like Egypt. The old regime was incapable. So the new regime was necessary. As the saying goes-The Brits and their successor USA, has no permanent friend or foe. What is permanent is their interest. We are all waiting to see the rise of another Taliban. In the latter case, the story would be funny if it were not tragic for the USA.

Lighting The Way Toward Peace and Harmony

I have seen the burning alive of humans and the rape and abduction of women and children.  I have seen cruel enemies  search for nothing but an end to life that is so precious from our Creator.  To those who have no value for human life I choose to light the way toward Peace and Harmony for all people.  More  than 11,000  rockets  have come into Israel  over this past year.  Now  more than 100  have struck my city Ashqelon in Israel  and my people are running into bomb shelters.  How do we break down barriers and light the way toward Peace and Harmony?  The solution is that we all must take an active role and participate  in lighting the way toward a partnership and bonding in the world that is unbreakable.  Here are some ways we all can do that and share in rewards for all of our efforts.
Mutual understanding, compassion, respect, dignity and cooperation are keys to forming a partnership. Truth is best shared with the masses in a mutual cooperation. The achievement of Harmony is the result. What is left is reaching that all powerful goal. Defining the steps, that is the question. It is not easy to cross the barriers that divide us. It can be likened to climbing to highest mountain or crossing a desert in the midst of a sandstorm. What are we willing to risk to reach the destination? Fear is an enemy the stalks in the night, agression is the attacker, with the attempt to steal the mind, the body and the spirit! That is the face of the barrier dividing us! We know the problem. Now is the time to discover what is the solution.
The solution is found first within each of us. The question again is , what are we willing to risk in order to reach that all important goal?  Do we forget about our loved ones? Do we abandon them? Do we use others by deceiving? Do we commit acts of violence or participate in efforts to humiliate, defame and degrade others? No, we form unbreakable bonds that can weather any storm, any conflict of social mores, any effort of others who continue to make efforts to break the bonds we work so hard to achieve. We risk the seemingly impossible in order to bring about a positive change.
Reaching across your comfort zone is a step in the right direction. Be willing to learn about someone else. Be willing to step outside your personal box, your stubborn resistance, and remove the blinding particles of dust clouding your vision. See a clear vision and know that anything is possible. Create your vision to join your hands, minds, spirits with others in a joint effort to collaborate, and take a united action for a cause for the ultimate preservation of Humanity. The other steps will follow with others there for support. One person cannot succeed alone. But, we can succeed together.
Embrace an enduring peace rather the striving for a temporary one. Be willing to not succomb to the tendency to dominate. Be willing to know your enemy and search for any possible breakthrough. Without this kind of peace there can be no harmony. There would only be chaos. Light would be enveloped by a darkness that would be blinding. Try to keep the eyes focused on the goal. Accept the rights guaranteed to all humankind as directed by the Almighty One. Defend the right of freedom of expression, take action for the deliverance from oppression and slavery.
And finally, make the connections that will last not only in a fleeting moment but that will endure for a lifetime! Risk the seemingly impossible and make it Possible! We alone are the masters of bringing peace and harmony to ourselves and to others. Individuallly we are good at placing the stumblingblocks that prevent us from succeeding. In forming a partnership on the basis of living by the tenants of Peace and Harmony we form the unbreakable bond that has the power to change the world!

Sriram Shalom
Zemira Eli Natan
Executive Director
International Unity for Equality

Bonded Labor Through the Looking Glass

Bonded Labor is classically defined as a situation when a person provides a loan to another and uses his or her labor or services to repay the debt; when the value of the work as resonably assessed is not applied to the liquidation of the debt, the situation becomes one of debt bondage.

According to Anti-Slavery International, "A person enters debt bondage when their labor is demanded as a means of repayment of a loan, or of money given in advance.  Usually, people are tricked or trapped into working for no pay or for very little pay in return for such a loan in conditions that violate their Human Rights.  Invaribly, the value of the work done by a bonded laborer is greater than the original sum of money borrowed or advanced.

Debt bondage has been defined as a form of   "Modern Day Slavery" and is prohibited by international law.  It is specifically addressed in Article 1(a) of the United Nations Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery.  It persists nonetheless especially in developing nations, which have few mechanisms for credit security or bankruptcy, and where fewer people hold formal title to land or possessions.  Forced labor in Pakistan, primarily in the form of debt bondage, is found most commonly amongst agriculture workers, brick kilns, domestic service (particularly women and child labor), carpet weaving and mining.  In the above sectors women feature as a major labor force. Since no written contract exists the worker is vulnerable to all forms of exploitation.

The above is a synopsis of the issues.  It hardly scratches the surface of the number of Human Rights violations currently in practice against the bonded laborers.  One can only imagine what it must be like to work all day and through the night chained to their workstation and given only one meal to last them as the energy they release physically ebbs from them.  Ever fiber of their strength is removed from them as they live every moment in terror  held at gunpoint by snipers should they try to escape.  Walk in the shoes of these humans  struggling for an existance free from oppression and fear.  Fear is a most horrible experience.  Unless you have been a slave you can never imagine what this is like.  I wove carpets with my grandmother as a girl  and I remember I was never working fast enough.  I remember that they would come and take our carpets away and every possession they wanted.  I remember the stories my grandmother told me about her slavery and how she was able to survive.  I wear her necklace  that identified her status to this very day.  And until slavery is abolished in all lands I will never remove it.

I ask these questions to any government that still permits bonded labor to occur in their country, Why after your Supreme  Courts render this practice illegal are women being abducted and raped, chidren are being starved,  and people being murdered for daring to protest against this horrific practice?  Why not allow people to live with dignity and equal rights for all?  How much better production from labor would come if people were afforded a salary and provided the means to have proper sustanance mind, body and spirit.  I will look for these answers every day of my life until I see a brighter future and never see the darkness of  slavery blacken my day with blinding smoke that clouds the blueness of the most beautiful sky  in the heavens.

Sriram Shalom
Zemira Eli Natan
Executive Director
International Unity for Equality

THE REMOVAL OF BONDED LABOR SYSTEM IN INDIA BY AJAY BISHNOI

Introduction

The phenomenon of bonded labour is a “vicious circle” where each factor is responsible for further subjugation and apathy of the bonded labourers. The first part of the chain forming the vicious circle is the survival capabilities of this system. It is a relic of colonial and feudal system, which is still continuing. This relic is deeply rooted in the social customs and traditions, treating it as a normal practice. This results in the creation of a “hierarchical pattern” of society forming unequal classes in terms of superiority and inferiority. The so-called higher classes then commit all sorts of atrocities upon the considered lower classes. The system of bonded labour is an outcome of certain categories of indebtedness which have been prevailing for a long time involving certain economically, exploited, helpless and weaker sections of the society. The bonded or forced labour system was known by different names in different parts of the country like Begar, Sagri or Hali, Jeetham etc. The problem of bonded labour was closely linked to the broader socioeconomic problems of surplus labour, unemployment/under-employment, inequitable distribution of land and assets, low wages, distress migration, social customs etc.
The issue of ‘bonded labour’ came to the forefront as a national issue, when it was included in the old 20-Point Programme in 1975. It was the 5th point of the Programme which stated that “bonded labour, wherever it exists will be declared illegal.” To implement this, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Ordinance was promulgated. Which was later on replaced by the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. It freed unilaterally all the bonded labourers from bondage with simultaneous liquidation of their debts.

Concepts of bonded labor system

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) [Article 2(i)] —The term forced or compulsory labour shall mean all work or service, which is exacted, from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights —On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 4 says: “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.”

UN Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery (1956) — Under this Convention debt bondage is defined as “the status or condition arising from a pledge by a debtor of his personal service or those of a person under his control as security for a debt, if the value of those services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt or the length and nature of those services are not respectively limited and defined”.

As per I.L.O. Report on Stopping Forced Labour (2001) — The term (Bonded Labour) refers to a worker who rendered service under condition of bondage arising from economic consideration, notably indebtedness through a loan or an advance. Where debt is the root cause of bondage, the implication is that the worker (or dependents or heirs) is tied to a particular creditor for a specified or unspecified period until the loan is repaid.

As per the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976:

Ø “bonded labour” means any labour or service rendered under the bonded labour system-Section 2 (e).

Ø “bonded labourer” means a labourer who incurs, or has, or is presumed to have incurred a bonded debt-Section 2(f).

Ø “bonded labour system” means the system of forced, or partly forced, labour under which a debtor enters, or has, or is presumed to have, entered, into an agreement with the creditor to the effect that he would-

i. render, by himself or through any member of his family, or any person dependent on him, labour or service to the creditor, or for the benefit of the creditor, for a specified period or for any unspecified period, either without wages or for nominal wages, or

ii. for the freedom of employment or other means of livelihood for a specified period or for an unspecified period, or

iii. forfeit the right to move freely throughout the territory of India, or

iv. forfeit the right to appropriate or sell at market value any of his property or product of his labour or the labour of a member of his family or any person dependent on him;

and includes the system of forced, or partly forced, labour under which a surety for a debtor enters, or has, or is presumed to have, entered, into an agreement with the creditor to the effect that in the event of the failure of the debtor to repay the debt, he would render the bonded labour on behalf of the debtor-Section 2(g)Through its various judgments, Supreme Court has given a very broad, liberal and expansive interpretation of the definition of the bonded labour. According to the interpretation given by the apex court, where a person provided labour or service to another for remuneration less than the minimum wage, the labour or service falls clearly within the scope and ambit of the words forced labour under the constitution.


Constitutional And Legal Provisions

The Constitution of India:

The Constitution of India guarantees all its citizens-justice, social, economic and political; freedom or thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; equity of status and opportunity and fraternity, dignity of individual and unity of the Nation.

Under Article 23. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour - Traffic in human beings and begar and other similar forms of forced labour are prohibited and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law. Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from imposing compulsory service for public purposes, and in imposing such service the State shall not make any discrimination on grounds only on religion, race, caste or class or any of them.

Under Article 42. Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief - The State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.

Under Article 43. Living wage, etc. for workers - The State shall endeavour to secure, by suitable legislation or economic organization or in any other way, to all workers, agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work and living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities and, in particular the State shall endeavour to promote cottage industrial on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas.

Indian Penal Code:

Under Section 374. Unlawful compulsory labour - Whoever unlawfully compels any person to labour against the will of that person, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Children (Pledging of Labour) Act, 1933:

Children (Pledging of Labour) Act, 1933 says that unless there is something repugnant in the subject or context – “an agreement of pledging the labour of child” means an agreement written or oral, express or implied, whereby the parent or guardian of a child, in return for any payment or benefit received or to be received by him, undertakes to cause or allow the services of the child to be utilized in any employment. Provided that any agreement made without detriment to a child, and not made in consideration of any benefit other than reasonable wages to be paid for the child’s services and terminable at not more than a weeks notice, is not an agreement within the meaning of this definition. It also says that “Whoever, being the parent or guardian of a child, makes an agreement to pledge the labour of that child, shall be punished with fine which may extend up to fifty rupees”.

Commentary on The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976

Ø On commencement of this Act the bonded labour system shall stand abolished and every bonded labourer shall stand freed and discharged free from any obligation to render bonded labour.

Ø Any custom, agreement or other instrument by virtue of which a person is required to render any service as bonded labour shall be void.

Ø Liability to repay bonded debt shall be deemed to have been extinguished.

Ø Property of the bonded labourer to be freed from mortgage etc.

Ø Freed bonded labourers shall not be evicted from homesteads or other residential premises which he was occupying as part of consideration for the bonded labour.

Ø District Magistrates have been entrusted with certain duties and responsibilities for implementing the provision of this Act.

Ø Vigilance committees are required to be constituted at district and sub-divisional levels.

Ø Offences for contravention of provisions of the Act are punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and also with fines which may extend to two thousand rupees.

Ø Powers of Judicial Magistrates are required to be conferred on Executive Magistrates for trial of offences under this Act. Offences under this Act may be tried summarily.

Ø Every offence under this Act shall be cognizable and bailable.

International Law on Bonded Labour Applicable in India

In addition to domestic laws, India is a party to numerous international human rights conventions and is thus legally bound by them. An extensive review is presented by the Human Rights Watch report on bonded labor in India.

These laws include;

Convention on the Suppression of Slave Trade and Slavery, 1926

This convention requires signatories to “prevent and suppress the slave trade” and “to bring about, progressively and as soon as possible, the complete abolition of slavery in all its forms.” It also obligates parties to “take all necessary measures to prevent compulsory or forced labor from developing into conditions analogous to slavery”. Convention on the Suppression of Slave Trade and Slavery, signed at Geneva, September 25, 1926; Protocol Amended the Slavery Convention, signed at Geneva, September 25, 1926, with annex, done at, New York, December 7, 1953, entered into force, December 7, 1953. A slave is someone “over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised.” Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, done at Geneva, September 7, 1956; entered into force, April 30, 1957 (Supplementary Convention).

Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, 1956

The supplementary convention on slavery offers further clarification of prohibited practices and refers specifically to debt bondage and child servitude as institutions similar to slavery.

Forced Labour Convention, 1930

The International Labour Organisation (I.L.O.) Forced Labour Convention requires signatories to “suppress the use of forced or compulsory labour in all its forms in the shortest period possible”.[1] In 1957, the I.L.O. explicitly incorporated debt bondage and serfdom within its definition of forced labor.[2] India, however, chose not to sign this convention.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (I.C.C.P.R.), 1966

Article 8 of the I.C.C.P.R. prohibits slavery and the slave trade in all their forms, servitude, and forced or compulsory labor. Article 24 entitles all children to “the right to such measures of protection as are required by his status as a minor, on the part of his family, society and the State.”[3]

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (I.C.E.S.C.R.), 1966

Article 7 of the I.C.E.S.C.R. provides that States Parties shall “recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work.” Article 10 requires Parties to protect “children and young persons... from economic and social exploitation”.

Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989

Article 32: “States Parties recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or... be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.”[4] States are directed to implement and ensure these protections.

Article 35: “States Parties shall take all appropriate . . . measures to prevent the abduction, the sale of or traffic in children for any purpose or in any form.” A significant portion of the bonded child laborers of India are trafficked from one state to another, and some are sold outright.[5]

Article 36: “States Parties shall protect the child against all other forms of exploitation prejudicial to any aspects of the child’s welfare”.[6]

International Labour Organization (I.L.O.) Conventions

There are two I.L.O. Conventions, Convention No. 29 concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour (1930) and Convention No. 105 concerning Abolition of Forced Labour (1957).

Government of India has ratified both the Conventions.

Convention No. 29 cast an obligation on the Members of the I.L.O. which ratifies this Convention to suppress the use of forced or compulsory labour in all its form within the

shortest possible period. For the purpose of this Convention, the term “forced or compulsory labour” means all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.

Under Convention 105, each Member of the I.L.O. which ratifies this Convention is required to suppress and not to make use of any form of forced or compulsory labour-

i. as a means of political coercion or education or as a punishment for holding or expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system;

ii. as a method mobilizing and using labour for purposes of economic development;


iii. as a means of labour discipline;


iv. as punishment for having participated in strike;


v. as a means of racial, social, national or religious discrimination.


PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS

According to the Act, bonded labour was abolished on October 25, 1975, and the bonded labourers stood freed and discharged from any bonded labour obligations. The Act also extinguished any obligation to repay any bonded debt. The Act further provides that whoever compels any person to bonded labour should be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and is also liable to pay a fine of Rs. 2000.

District, State, and National Responsibility for Bonded Labor

States are responsible for enforcing the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and do so through their district magistrates, in some states called district collectors or deputy commissioners, who are directed to form bonded labor "vigilance committees." The central government is responsible for ensuring that states enforce the act and that the vigilance committees are formed.[7] The central government funds state surveys of bonded labor, evaluations of the bonded labor law's implementation, and public awareness campaigns.[8] It also provides half of the funds for rehabilitation assistance, which is currently set at a total of Rs. 20,000 (U.S.$417) per bonded laborer, slightly less than the annual per capita income.[9]

District magistrates are appointed civil servants and are the top authorities at the district level. They oversee government administration, including the administration of justice, and some fifty to sixty distinct departments.[10] Their wide array of duties includes identifying cases of bonded labor in their districts, freeing the laborers, initiating prosecutions, making sure available credit sources are in place so that freed laborers will not be forced into bondage again, and constituting and participating in the vigilance committees.[11] The vigilance committees are charged with advising the district magistrate to ensure that the bonded labor law is properly implemented; providing for the economic and social rehabilitation of freed bonded laborers; coordinating the functions of rural banks and cooperative societies to help ensure freed bonded laborers have access to credit; monitoring "the number of offenses of which cognizance ought to be taken under the act"; and defending freed bonded labosvfrers against attempts to recover the bonded debt. In 1996 Human Rights Watch found that very few vigilance committees had even been formed and was unable to find any district in which such a committee was operative.

In April 2002, officials in the Ministry of Labour told Human Rights Watch that vigilance committees had been created for every district. But regardless of whether they exist in name, almost none are actually functioning.[12] According to NHRC Special Rapporteur Chaman Lal, the commission investigated and found that the vigilance committees "were non-existent or defunct and, where they had been revived, they were not doing work."[13] The commission has been trying to revive them, he said.[14] According to a high-ranking government official in Tamil Nadu:

On paper, the vigilance committees look good. But they are packed with people who belong to the ruling party. It is a status symbol to be a member. Every district collector has learned that to form a committee, he has to consult with the [party] Secretariat. Even S.C./S.T.s [Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe members] will still belong to the ruling party so they toe the line. . . . Until now, the committee hasn't been involved in rehabilitation. The stereotype is that there will be a ten minute long meeting just to say that there is no bonded labor.[15]

Role Of The National Human Rights Commission

The Apex Court has directed that the National Human Rights Commission (N.H.R.C.) should be involved in dealing with the issue of bonded labour. In pursuance to the above order, a Central Action Group has been constituted in the N.H.R.C. This Group is holding regular meetings and the matter is being pursued with the State Governments.
In Bandhuwa Mukti Morcha case[16] also the Supreme Court had issued certain directions to the Central Government, the State of Haryana and various authorities. In order to ensure compliance of the above directions, Ministry of Labour constituted a Task Force, comprising of officers of the Central and the Government of Haryana who are responsible for enforcement of various labour laws. The Task Force was required to undertake periodic visits and inspections of the Stone Quarries and Crushers to ascertain facts about working and living conditions of the workers. The Task Force is carrying out its assignment regularly and submitting reports to the Central as well as the State Government indicating therein status of compliance on the part of the concerned authorities with the statutory provisions and the directions of the Supreme Court.
Recommendations Of The Second National Commission On Labour
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 is not a labour law but only a welfare legislation. While all the other labour laws relate to situations where there is an employer-employee nexus, this is about the only law where the reverse takes place i.e., even the existing relation of master-servant is snapped, the affected person released from bondage and provision sought to be made for his/her rehabilitation. The Commission regards the implementation of this law by the Ministry of Labour as appropriate, as it emanates from Article 23 of the Constitution and deals with working people.

Conclusion: Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme For Rehabilitation Of Bonded Labour

In order to assist the State Government in their task of rehabilitation of released bonded labourers, the Ministry of Labour launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme since May, 1978 for rehabilitation of bonded labourers. Under this Scheme rehabilitation assistance of Rs. 20,000/- per freed bonded labour is provided, which is shared by the Central and State Governments on 50:50 basis; in the case of the Seven North Eastern States, 100% central assistance if they express their inability to provide their share. The Scheme also provide for financing of the following activities. Rs. 2.00 lakhs per sensitive district can be provided to concerned state government to conduct survey for identification of bonded labour once in three years.

Central assistance of Rs. 10.00 lakhs every year can be sanctioned to every state government to undertake awareness generation activities relating to bonded labour system.

Rs. 5.00 lakhs per year can be sanctioned to every state government to study impact of existing land-debt related issues affecting bonded labourers and the impact of poverty alleviation programmes and financial assistance provided by various Government sources so far.

Besides above the States Governments have also been advised to integrate/ dovetail the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for rehabilitation of bonded labour with other ongoing poverty alleviation schemes such as Swaran Jayanti Gram Sewa Rojgar Yojana (S.J.G.S.R.Y.), Special Component Plan for Scheduled Castes, Tribal Sub-Plan etc.

Accordingly, the rehabilitation package provided by the concerned Stated Governments for the freed bonded labourers includes the following major components:

Ø Allotment of house-site and agricultural land;


Ø Land development;


Ø Provision of low cost dwelling units;


Ø Animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, piggery etc.;


Ø Training for acquiring new skills; developing existing skills;


Ø Wage employment, enforcement of minimum wages etc.;


Ø Collection and processing of minor forest products;


Ø Supply of essential commodities under targeted public distribution system;


Ø Education for children; and


Ø Protection of civil rights.

Details on bonded labourers identified/released and rehabilitated as reported by the respective State Governments and the Central Assistance released so far under the above mentioned Centrally Sponsored Scheme are given in the following Table:—

Name of the State

Number of Bonded Labourers

Identified and Released

Rehabilitated

Central assistance

provided (Rs. in

lakhs)

Andhra Pradesh

36,289
29,552
680.10

Bihar (including Jharkhand)

13,112
12,396
317.28

Karnataka

63,583
56,106
1470.28

Mahdya Pradesh (including Chattisgarh)

12,928
12,021
158.75

Orrissa

49,971
46,843
898.13


Rajasthan

7,478
6,321
71.42

Maharashtra

1,401
1,319
9.55

Uttar Pradesh (including Uttranchal)

27,797
27,797
533.22


Kerala

823
710
15.56

Haryana

544
28
0.82

Gujarat

64
64
1.01

Arunachal Pradesh


3,526
1,992
568.94


Tamil Nadu

65,573
65,573
1661.94


Punjab

69
69
6.90


Total

2,83,158
2,61,791
6393.44


In addition, a sum of Rs. 291.00 lakhs has been released to various State Governments so far for conducting survey of bonded labourers, awareness generation and evaluatory studies under the Central Sponsored Scheme.

[1] Forced Labour Convention (No. 29), 1930, adopted at Geneva, June 28, 1930, as modified by the Final Articles Revision Convention, adopted at Montreal, October 9, 1946.

[2] International Labour Organisation, Conventions and Recommendations 1919-1966 (Geneva: I.L.O., 1966), p. 891. The I.L.O. also passed the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105) in 1957.

[3] International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, G.A. Res. 2200 (XXI), 21 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 16), U.N. Doc. A/6316 (entered into force January 3, 1976)

[4] Convention on the Rights of the Child, G.A. Res. 44/125, U.N. GAOR, 44th Session, Supp. No. 49, U.N. Doc. A/44/736 (1989) (entered into force September 2, 1990)

[5] Human Rights Watch/Asia, Rape for Profit: Trafficking of Nepali Girls and Women to India’s Brothels (Human Rights Watch: New York, 1995)


[6] Convention on the Rights of the Child, G.A. Res. 44/125, U.N. GAOR, 44th Session, Supp. No. 49, U.N. Doc. A/44/736 (1989) (entered into force September 2, 1990)


[7] See Judgment in Writ Petition No. 1187 (1982), cited in Vivek Pandit, Prevention of Atrocities (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): Bonded Labour, Their Rights and Implementation, 1995, p. 7.


[8] Ministry of Labour, Government of India, Annual Report 2001-2002, p. 83.


[9] In the northeastern states, the central government funds all rehabilitation assistance. Ibid. The government reports that it spent Rs 50.48 million (U.S.$1.22 million) for surveys and rehabilitation in 2001-2002 and that it had budgeted Rs. 40 million ($.83 million) for this in 2002-2003. Ministry of Labour, Government of India, Bonded Labour System Abolition Act (1976), http://labour.nic.in/dglw/Bonded_labr.html (retrieved July 9, 2002).


[10] Human Rights Watch, The Small Hands of Slavery, p. 32.

[11] Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act (1976), secs. 2, 11-12.

[12] See, e.g. Manoj Kumar, "Panel fights for bonded labourers," The Tribune: On-line Edition, June 21, 2002, http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010621/punjab1.htm (retrieved August 9, 2002) (reporting that "all district bonded labour vigilance committees in Punjab have become defunct").

[13] Human Rights Watch interview with Chaman Lal, NHRC Special Rapporteur, New Delhi, March 11, 2002. According to the NHRC's annual report: "The Commission has noticed with regret that, in almost all the States, the Vigilance Committees that were established earlier are non-functional and that no serious effort has been taken to identify bonded labor even though the existence of such labor in as many as 100 districts and in specified industries has been well documented by various states." NHRC, Annual Report 1998-99, http://nhrc.nic.in/ (retrieved July 30, 2002), para. 9.6.

[14] Human Rights Watch interview with Chaman Lal, NHRC Special Rapporteur, New Delhi, March 11, 2002.

[15] Human Rights Watch interview with Tamil Nadu government official, Tamil Nadu, March 18, 2002


[16] See 1984 AIR 802 1984, SCR (2) 67 1984, SCC (3) 161 1983 ,SCALE (2)1151

About the Author: Ajay Bishnoi

Ajay Bishnoi, Gujarat National Law University, 2nd year

SOURCE: http://www.legalserviceindia.com/article/l94-THE-REMOVAL-OF-BONDED-LABOR-SYSTEM-IN-INDIA.html

THE ORIGIN OF ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY BY BANGAPATI

For the last 1000 years, the world had witnessed the rivalry between the two expanding faiths that influenced a large section of population in Asia, Europe, Africa, Americas and other islands. These two faiths originated from the same root-the Abrahamic traditions or the Jewish traditions. Interestingly, both these faiths tried to suppress their common root-the Jewish root. It happens when a son tries to forget his father or mother. Both these faiths-Islam and Christianity borrowed many things from the Abrahamic traditions and yet these faiths hated the Jews as sinners. Before discussing the origin of these two faiths, it is better to know something about Abraham, the Patriarch who first settled in Canaan. Abraham was an inhabitant of Mesopotamia and circumstances compelled him to move towards Palestine. At that time the land was known as Canaan and gradually the Jews, under the leadership of Abraham, made it their own land. Lord Yeovah promised Abraham that he would create a great race through him and so he did. The line of Abraham continued till the Jews were forced to move towards Egypt and worked as Pharao's workers. Abraham, according to Hebrew tradition, was born in the line of Noah, and he was the first Patriarch whom both Islam and Christianity recognized as great man. When Abraham crossed 80 years and failed to have a son by his legal wife Sarah, he decided to have it by his Egyptian slave, Hagar. It was agreed that Hagar would only give birth to a son, but she would have no claim over her son. It would belong to Sarah. Thus Hagar gave birth to Ismail, who was adopted by Abraham and Sarah. But Sarah was not happy. She wanted a son of her own. When Abraham crossed 90 years, Issac was born to Sarah. The birth of Issac created new controversy about succession. One day Sarah was angry with Hagar and she complained to Abraham that Hagar had no right to live with them and she should leave with her son. Abraham was speechless. Thus the house of Abraham divided into two factions. Hagar with her son Ismail left for unknown lands and after many wanderings reached her destination. Lord Yeovah promised Abraham that Ismail would give birth to a mighty nation and accordingly, Ismail gave birth to 12 Arab tribes. He was regarded as the father of most of the Arab tribes and the forefather of Prophet Muhammad. While Muhammad was born in the line of Ismail, Abraham's other son Issac gave birth to Jewish tribes and was believed to be the ancestor of Jesus Christ. Thus Muslims and Christians originated from the two sons of Abraham. The rivalry between the two faiths represents the rivalries between the brothers of same father. Now the sons of Issac multiplied and spread. They enriched the Hebrew culture. While a rival culture was growing in the deserts of Arabia where the sons of Ismail multiplied. Just before the birth of Prophet Muhammad, we find that there were many Christians and Jews in Arabia and Middle East. All of them vanished during the time of Caliph Omar. Both Christ and Muhammad had Jewish blood in veins, but their role were just like kalapahar of Hindu traditions. Kalapahar was a Hindu general who became Muslim and hated his previous identity so much that he destroyed many important temples of Orissa. Similarly the Jewish identity got divided between Christianity and Islam. Each tried to suppress the other. Without Christianity, many important Jewish traditions would be lost. For example, the Christian Bible, although copied from Hebrew Bible, tells the stories of Jewish civilization. Bible inspired many archaeological discoveries during the 19th Century. Islam, on the other hand, represents the rights of Ismail which was denied by Sarah. For last 1000 years, the Holy Land witnessed these two currents of history-the co-existence of Islam and Christianity. Finally, the Holy Land was occupied by those who once gave it a distinct identity. It happens in history. The ascendancy of the Jews happened in Christian Europe, and not in the Islamic world. The reason was simple. As Ismail wanted to forget his past-the past of a slave boy, so Islam also learnt to suppress its past. All the pre-Islamic traditions were erased by Muhammad and that was what we call the revenge of history. The wrath of Ismail gave birth to Arab Imperialism which overshadowed other cultures of the Middle East. Now the question remains-who was the real successor of Ahraham? The answer is a difficult one. If Abraham didn't send Ismail to faraway lands, Islam would never rise. Without Islam, no other power could resist the Christian propaganda in the Middle East. And I think all these happened for a better future of the Jews. Somebody once told me that without Buddhism, the revival of Sanatan Dharma was impossible. Similarly Lord Yeovah created opposite forces for the Jews only to give them a better future. It was the dark night that increased the importance of a bright day.

THE PARSIS : THE LAST REPRESENTATIVES OF AN ANCIENT SUPERPOWER BY BANGAPATI

 For centuries, the Parsis continued to live in Bharat, a country where they took refuge to avoid conversion to Islam. We are all familiar with the term "PARSI", a word originated from Sanskrit " Parasyavasi", meaning, "the inhabitants of Parasya". They are well known for their wealth and charity. From Jamshedji Tata to Dadabhai Naoroji, and from Homi Bhaba to General Manekshaw, the Parsis contributed in almost all fields and they excelled in business. They are also known for their nationalist activities and some of them even played leading role in Indian Army. The original homeland of the Parsis was Iran or Persia- the name reminds us of an ancient empire that controlled almost the whole Middle East, and vast lands from Greece to Sindhu. The Empire witnessed the rise and fall of many powers. Alexander the Great gave first blow to this superpower, but it revived under the Sassanids. The last and final blow came from Islam. Caliph Omar conquered Persia during the 7th Century A. D. This marked the end of ancient Persian culture and Zoroastrianism. The Persians continued to resist Islamic rule for nearly two centuries. During this time, there were frequent revolts and attacks on Muslim nobles. It is said that one of the major achievements of Caliph Omar's life was the conquest of Persia. He had to pay for it with his own life. Omar was murdered by a Persian slave. That was how the Persians took revenge. For 200 years, the Persians resisted Islam in vain. Most of them were converted and the rest fled to Central Asia, China and Bharat. Only in Bharat, they could maintain their separate identity and their faith. The first recorded Parsi settlement was in Gujarat, where they accepted local dress and language. The Hindu king of Gujarat gave permissions to them on the conditions that they would live peacefully without disturbing the local population. Thus the settlement of Sanjan was founded. From Gujarat, they moved towards the coastal area of Maharashtra. The conditions of most of the Parsis were not well. They started to grow in numbers from 18th Century onwards and from that time they also became financially strong. The Britishers favoured them in some fields and the Parsis prospered during the 19th Century. That century was also marked by a sense of national pride which compelled the Parsi community to start a cultural revivalism. The revivalism gave birth to many Parsis of rare qualities. They started to think about their glorious past. However, the Arab conquest of Parasya could not completely erased the ancient culture. The fusion of Islamic faith and Persian traditions gave birth to a new Islamic culture which was totally different from Arab culture. Till today, Iran maintains it separate identity as a Shia state, surrounded by Sunni Arab states. It was this Persian language which was the court language of the Mughals. However, the Persian culture moved leading Sufi scholars and poets. While such was the fate of Persia, Bharat also fell in the hands of Islam. Thus the Parsis didn't have much freedom in Gujarat during the Muslim rule. The change came with the fall of the Mughals and the rise of the Marathas. The Maratha conquest of Gujarat was a blessings for them. The Parsis realised by then that if they didn't maintain their separate identity, they would vanish with their culture. Thus all the Parsi groups came forward and founded several organisations for the upliftment of the Parsis. These were followed by calender reform which helped them to build an international network. The Parsis also took interest in freedom struggle. Although Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak disliked them for their liberal attitudes, the Congress Party received large donations from Parsi business houses. The Parsis were not fortunate like the Jews. They could not start any organised movement for their homeland. One reason was the lack of leadership. Other reason was declining population. Today most of the mainstream Hindu organisations that take interest in Tibet and Bangladesh, are surprisingly silent about the Parsi community. They perhaps forget the long socio-cultural relations with Ancient Parasya that benefitted both Parasya and Bharat. I think the Parsis need our help more than the Jews, Tibetans, Bangladeshi Hindus, Tamils of Sri Lanka and so on. If we don't take steps to restore the endangered Parsi culture, it will completely vanish like the Egyptian civilization.

THE LESSONS OF JEWISH HISTORY BY BANGAPATI

 Today the Jews are one of the most influential nations of the world and they are one of those nations that still preserves and values the ancient traditions, despite the strong influence of American capitalism and Islamic hegemony. Although many people believe that the existence of Israel depends on the mercy of U.S.A., but I see it just the opposite. The existence of US depends on the Jewish community, as they control at least 80 percent of US economy. The Jewish lobby controls many important aspects of US Foreign Policy and home policy also, despite the growing pressure and hatred from the Anglo-American community. However, the journey of the Jews from a scattered community to an united force was not easy. It took almost 1800 years for them to reunite and return to their promised land. The birth of Israel proved that any ancient culture could revive itself if it had the willpower to survive. The Jewish Diaspora began during the Roman rule and they started to migrate to different regions of Asia and Europe. During the time of Christ, we already notice the growing Roman influence over the Jewish affairs. The Romans controlled the Jewish affairs through the help of a collaborator Jewish class and this class also suppressed all the indigenous resistance. The Jews were driven out of their promised land by the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians etc, before the coming of the Romans. They not only returned in the past, but also formed a strong state under the rule of David and Solomon. After the death of Solomon, his kingdom was divided and internal quarrel among the Jews made them weak. The Jews gradually lost all the qualities necessary for greatness. That was the beginning of their downfall. It happens in all civilizations, but the Jewish story is different. The Jewish culture didn't vanish like the other contemporary ancient cultures like Egyptian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Cretan etc. It survived among them for centuries. During the Middle Ages, the Jews concentrated on business and money lending. There were attempts to assimilate them into Islam and Christianity. Those who refused, were either isolated or hated by the Europeans. But the Lord promised them the return to their own land and that belief kept them united. Their life was the subject of many plays and stories, often written by Europeans which represent them as wicked and sinner. The conditions started to change after 18th Century. The Jews realised that they needed a state of their own in order to gain respect and freedom. This realisation gave birth to Zionist Movement. The second half of the 19th Century witnessed the growing influence of Jews in all the spheres of life. After the World War I, Palestine which was under the Ottoman rule, became a British Protectorate. The Britishers were sympathetic to the Jewish cause. In the meantime, the Zionist organisations started to move Jewish populations to Palestine. These groups used terror tactics to achieve freedom. By 1940's, it was clear that the future of Palestine was no longer in the hands of Muslims. The British diplomats wanted a status quo or partition like Bharat, but their plan was not successful due to the pressure of Jewish lobby. Finally, after the World War II, the Jewish dream became reality-an ancient culture was reborn. During the Cold War Era, Israel emerged as an important power that neither USA nor USSR could ignore. The Hebrew Language was revived and with it the original literary traditions. The ancient Jews had to fight their Middle Eastern and European enemies. The two formidable enemies were Egyptians and Philistines. They remained the enemies of Modern Jews also. Today's Israel-Palestine and Israel-Egypt conflicts reminds us that history repeats itself. But more powerful is their European enemy. At present, the Pagan groups are blaming the Jews for the downfall of Europe and for the invention of Marxism and Atom Bomb. We don't know how long Israel will last, but it will certainly leave permanent mark on World History. Many things would never be possible without the Jews. For example, the internet which connects the world. Only the Jews could invent it coz they developed a true international Jewish Brotherhood during the years of suffering in Europe. The peoples who once compelled the Jews to leave Israel were no more. The Jewish culture proved more powerful than that of Egyptian, Babylonian, Assyrian and Roman cultures. It was a lesson for the Hindus of Bangladesh to learn and profit by it.

Shalom Chant.wmv

If there would be an ideal plan  for the world  it would be a universal peace.  The word Shalom in Hebrew means Peace and Wholeness.  The world currently is not whole when there is so much tension, agression between peoples.  Music is a common  language for all cultures and all religions.In this beautiful music project I call in Hebrew and Arabic with the help of a Rabbi (Jewish Teacher and Spiritual Leader) for the World to be Whole once again from its broken state.  Sabil a'Salaam  the Path is Peace!  I am lighting the way and showing the path to take toward that peace that we all  are searching to achieve.  Help me spread the light  and work toward a common effort to end all things violent in this world. Without all of you I am alone in my effort.  But if we join together regardless of culture or religion we can make a change in the world that will lead us all to a brighter future. Let us all represent the world and strive in all places to protect and promote Human Rights.  The Preservation of Humanity is our ultimate goal.  I believe we can work together to make every one of our goals a great achievement for the sake of World Peace and the Preservation of Humankind.

Zemira Eli Natan
Chief Editor and Co-Founder
International Unity for Equality

Press Conference on Forced Conversions of Hindu Girls to Islam

Supreme Court of Pakistan opened a long pending case against forced conversions of Hindus to Islam in Pakistan. The case was filed by pakistan Hindu Council in 2007. Supreme Court made this move after increase in the conversion cases in past six months. Three more names of the recent victims were included in this petition: Rinkle Kumari, Dr. Lata Kumari and Asha Kumari. For detailed story on these cases, see previous post here. In order to highlight some important aspects of the case, human rights activists held a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday April 17, 2012 in Islamabad Press Club. They issued a consensus statement on this eve, which can be seen below:

                                       Addressing the Press Conference

Pakistan’s daughters, Rinkle, Lata and Asha await justice

We, the citizens of Pakistan hereby express our strong concern over the treatment of Hindus in Pakistan at the hands of some miscreants in the name of Islam. We want to draw the attention of authorities to the cases of forced conversion of Hindu girls to Islam, generally and most recent cases of Rinkle Kumari, Dr. Lata and Asha specifically.
We urge the media to kindly highlight the sides of these stories hitherto unheard by the masses. It is worrisome that an influential feudal, Mian Abdul Haq aka Mian Mithu who abducted Rinkle Kumari, has been able to evade law while making all pillars of the state, including the fourth pillar i.e. media, look like a joke. His sons with hundreds of their men were seen in the premises of Civil Court Ghotki where Hindu community was refused entry, when Rinkle Kumari was presented there. Mian Mithu’s sons were organizing press conference in Karachi while Rinkle was still in Police custody. His men were reportedly dictating Rinkle the answers to the questions of reporters present in the press conference. Such mockery of state and media should not be allowed and be dealt with iron hand.
It made us extremely concerned when Rinkle Kumari was produced in the Supreme Court on March 26 and after recording her statement in-camera, she screamed in front of media that she wanted to go to her mother and that she was converted forcibly. We are astonished to know that Mian Mithu has been involved in buying and selling of Hindu girls, as has been reported in Sindhi language newspapers and as per information from the victims’ families. A girl Anita was abducted and married to a Muslim from whose home Mian Mithu’s nephew abducted her and sold her to another hand. She is reportedly living with her fourth buyer, reportedly at the behest of this Mian Mithu. Mian Mithu, as per the inhabitants of Deherki, Sindh, possesses hundreds of licensed and unlicensed weapons with impunity while having as many as 117 criminal cases against him.
It is a matter of great shame for the citizens of Pakistan that Mian Mithu is not alone in this business of human trade in the name of Islam. He is supported by many including one Deher family who is allegedly responsible for the abduction of Dr. Lata. Dr. Lata was abducted a month ago and was forcibly married to a Muslim. It is noteworthy that in such cases, the Hindu girls are married within hours of their abduction. The discrepancy can be seen in the affidavit Dr. Lata has submitted to the court, where she signed it as “Lata Kumari”, and not ‘Hafsa’ as she is being called by the Deher family who abducted her.
It further strengthens suspicions against Mian Mithu when Asha, another missing Hindu girl was presented to the court last week. In the premises of Supreme Court of Pakistan, Asha was seen in the custody of the sons of Mian Mithu. It is most disturbing that she went missing in March when FIR was lodged for her abduction. Since April 3 to date, Jaicobabad Police has been searching for her. On April 13, Jaicobabad Police contacted her family, told them that their daughter was kidnapped for ransom, asked them to collect ransom money. Suddenly she emerges from the custody of Mian Mithu and appears in the court with his sons. We are astonished that this horrific series of heinous crimes is being allowed by the state under broad day light.
We deem it pertinent to state here firmly that forcible conversion and human trade is absolutely repugnant to Islam. We are grateful to Muslim scholars and practitioners of Pakistan’s rich Sufi tradition, to stand up against forced conversions, especially the Council of Islamic Ideology and many Sufi Dargahs of Sindh and Punjab. It is thus strongly put forward that in the wake of forced conversions of these girls, it will not be unIslamic to send them back to their families if the honourable court decides so. We are concerned about the bad name this kind of instances are giving to Pakistan and to Islam internationally.
While we are grateful to the President of Pakistan for taking personal notice of the crime, and to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to open the long pending case of Hindus’ forced conversions, we demand from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party to immediately suspend Mian Mithu’s membership of the party and disqualify him from Parliament membership. He should be arrested under Section 365(a) of PPC and Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act. We pray to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to kindly:

1. Call DIG Larkana Division to the Supreme Court of Pakistan and record his statement in-camera
2. Call SSP Jaicobabad and initiate investigation why he started negotiations with Asha’s family for collection of ransom money, and on whose behest he was doing so.
3. Initiate inquiry into the criminal cases against Mian Mithu, his sons Mian Aslma and Mian Rafique. We request to issue search order to recover his illegal weapons that he is keeping at his ‘dera’ in Deherki
4. Ensure that the state of Pakistan provides foolproof security to the families of Asha, Dr. Lata and Rinkle Kumari and their counsels.
5. Mian Mithu should be booked under Anti-Terrorist Act for terrorizing the honourable court and public in Ghotki and Mirpur Mathelo along side the families of victims
6. Recover all the Hindu girls from the custody of Mian Mithu and his collaborators like the Deher family of Jaicobabad.

We also urge the Chief Justice to kindly let the families of these Sindhi girls to meet them before recording their statements.
Finally, we urge the parliament to kindly make Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s speech of 11^th August 1947, an integral part of the Constitution. This and only this can save Pakistan from falling victim to communal, sectarian and ethnic hatred.
Pakistan, payendabad.
Signed:

1. Marvi Sirmed, human rights activist / columnist, Islamabad
2. Mehmal Sarfraz, Journalist, Lahore – Pakistan
3. Mohammad Tahseen, Executive Director, SAP-Pakistan, Lahore
4. Amar Lal, former Federal Minister & Chairman Minorities Commission
5. Babu Mahesh, President Jaicobabad Panchayet
6. Dr Ramesh
7. Naseer Memon, human rights activist
8. Faisal Gurchani, Human rights activist
9. Riaz Chandio, Chairman Jiye Sindh Mahaz
10. Rwail Sirmed, student
11. Shumaila Kaukab, Insan Foundation
12. Rafia Arshed, Uks
13. Salim Malik, Bedari Islamabad
14. Aqsa Khan, human rights activist, Islamabad
15. Dr. Farzana Bari, Human rights activist, Islamabad
16. Zubair Torwali, human rights activist / columnist
17. Rabia Aslam, human rights activist
18. Nusrat Zehra, human rights activist / Communication Specialist SPO
19. Harris Khalique, poet and columnist
20. Hasan Nasir, Awami Party Pakistan

 

Source:

http://marvisirmed.com/tag/rinkel-kumari/

Pakistan, appeal for Christian girl kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam

To date, the police refuses to liberate the girl, despite the repeated requests of the family. Mary Salik (fictitious name) was kidnapped last May 4 near Faisalabad by an uncle who had converted to Islam. The girl's father denounces conspiracy against his family: "My daughter has heart problems and was kidnapped by deception".


Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - The family of Mary Salik (fictional name for security reasons)  asks for justice for the 14 year old Christian girl, kidnapped last May 4 in Ali (Faisalabad, Punjab) and forced to convert to Islam. The author of the kidnapping is the uncle of the girl, who embraced Islam about a year ago and since then ended all contact with the family of origin. He kidnapped the young girl to marry her off with his son Kashif. The wedding was celebrated on 7 May.

The girl's father, told AsiaNews that "my daughter is only 14 years old and suffers from the birth from heart problems and can not do heavy work. After converting my brother is conspiring against our family and kidnapped Mary with deception ".

Immediately after the seizure, the father of the young Christian girl turned to local police and demanded the immediate release of his daughter, but the agents refused to return Mary to her family. According to police, the girl converted of her own free will and submitted as evidence a written statement in which the girl says to "be mature and have embraced Islam without coercion or threats."

To get their daughter back, the parents decided to find a compromise with the help of some influential people in the area and have filed a petition against the police officers.

Fr. Bonnie Mendes, priest and activist, former secretary of the Pakistan National Commission for Justice and Peace, speaks of the abuses suffered by the Christian community. "Although we are free to pray - he says - and to practice our religion, we are threatened when we try to defend our rights." The priest denounces the problem of cases of forced conversions to Islam of young Christians, which together with the blasphemy law is one of the most severe violations of religious freedom to the detriment of minorities. For Fr. Mendes Mary's case is against the teachings of Islam. In fact, those who want to convert require an iddat, a discernment period that must last at least three months. However, due to ignorance, illiteracy and social injustice, most Muslims do not observe this rule.

Each month between 25 and 30 young girls suffer similar abuses, for a yearly total of about 300 conversions and forced marriages. Hindu girls - but also Christian - who are torn from the family while very young and delivered into the hands of their husbands / torturers. One case recently made headlines when the Pakistani Supreme Court forced three young Hindu women to return to their Muslim husbands, despite the desire of the young girls to return to their family. The young women were kidnapped in February, forced to convert to Islam and marry Muslim men.


 Rinkle Kumari Before Marriage & Forced Conversion :

 Exclusive picture of Rinkle Kumari ~ taken two weeks before she was kidnapped , raped and forcibly married . You may never see her smiling again .  Just in case she is still alive


  Rinkle Kumari After  Forced Marriage Conversion To Islam :

On March 26 Rinkle Kumari, one of the girls, told the judges of the Court that there "is no justice in this country only for Muslims, justice is denied Hindus. Kill me here, now, in court. But do not send me back to the Darul-Aman [Koranic school] ... they will kill us. " The other two young girls, Lata and Asha, had expressed, in vain, the desire to be reunited with their families.

Source: 

1) http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pakistan,-appeal-for-Christian-girl-kidnapped-and-forced-to-convert-to-Islam-24798.html 
2) http://thekashmir.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/kidnapped-raped-converted-rinkle-kumari-rinkle/
 

Parveen’s Story ( Bonded Labour) : The Struggle of Bonded Labors in Pakistan

Debt bondage or bonded labor is a form of slavery, where a person vows himself or herself against a loan. The time duration for giving services is unknown and usually debt bondage may lead from generation to generation. According to Daily Times, there are over 1.7 million people involved in bondage, in Pakistan. Most of them belong to Sindh and are under the captive of feudal lords http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DjTp5wC_d8&feature=player_embedded

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has raised its voice over the bonded labor cases and the government’s failed attempt to liberate these people. This deplorable act took an ugly shape when a report was released by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Sindh, which stated that there are one million agricultural workers  in captivity, in the regions of Dadu, Badin, Thatta, Mirpurkhad and Umerkot. The majority of laborers are Muslim, while some belong to the untouchables and some from the tribal communities of Tharparkar desert. Poverty is the main reason for this forced slavery, as they needed cash to feed their families, and hence work from dawn to dusk.

Bonded laborers are kept in confinement by the landlords so that they can’t escape, moreover, women are also raped.  The workers don’t receive any wages and the food, and clothing given is also added onto the amount of debt. Thus, increasing their debt on a daily basis. Trafficking of these bonded labors is a common practice. This usually happens when the laborer fails to pay off his or her debts.

Non governmental organizations are working to release these men and women. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan was successful in releasing 15,000 men, women and children in Sindh. They were kept in makeshift camps but the conditions were lamentable, and no initiate was taken by the government to provide relief. These families face constant threat of abduction. A case of Munoo Bheel’s family being disappeared came to attention on 4 May 1988, further, giving rise to a sense of fear. Although the perpetrators of the aforementioned case were identified, yet no real action was taken by the government to find the family or put the culprits behind bars.

Parveen Story documents the story of a bonded labourer who narrates her plight and how she is mistreated at the hands of the landlords.

Source : IRC & http://www.maati.tv/2012/03/02/parveens-story-bonded-labour/