Wednesday, November 30, 2011

India: Death threats to human rights defender Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi

………………………………………………………………………………………………
Issue: Intimidation, right to life with dignity, threat to human rights defender
………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dear Friend,

Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) Secretary General / Executive Director Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi received a threatening call from by mobile phone. He is pursuing the case of Sohrab killing in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The caller was also saying he is resident from the same district. He abused and given threat to life to Dr. Lenin.
Case detail:
On 29th November, 2011 around 5:27 pm Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi[i], Secretary General / Executive Director of Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) received threatening call from mobile number +94757251733 on his mobile No. +91-9935599333. The caller was abusing by using filthy words after using the words Human Rights. He also threat to life saying "You will be towed" and "if you speak too much you will be shot out". During that time Dr. Lenin was busy in the meeting with its associates in his office and he became distracted.
At mean time around 5: 42 pm Dr. Lenin immediately released an urgent release in facebook. Around 6:22 pm Dr. Lenin rang on same number but he did not receive any response from that side. Then again he ranged this time he succeed to know the identity of the caller. The caller said, "My name is J.P Mishra, I am resident of Gorakhpur. You did not know about my power. I can do anything. Son, I have relation with many person you know Tulsi Singh. Now you understand what type of person I am. I lived in Mumbai I can do anything. If you are Governor or Chief Minister of the state, understand I have worth to do anything. Then he threat what is your worth monthly earning of only 10 thousand and 20 thousand". The caller was speaking in Bhojpuri mixed Hindi language.
Immediately letter through email was sent to Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission and Director General of Police and on 30th November, 2011 same letter was sent through post(http://www.scribd.com/doc/74353842/First-Information-report-in-death-threat).
It is noted that high level enquiry is going in the Soharab[ii] killing case in Gorakhpur. In this matter on the behalf of organization he made complain. In which the name of Sri Aditya Yogi Nath[iii] (Member of Parliament, Bhartiya Janta Party) also came. The caller was also telling he was resident of Gorakhpur. Through his dialogue it seems he was near to the Sri Aditya Yogi Nath ji, because he was assuming Dr. Lenin as any Government officer. He was telling he is making call from South Africa and sometime America.
More information:
PVCHR wrote letter to all relevant authorities to provide security and financial assistance to the family of Sohrab under European Union project "Reducing Police Torture against Muslims at the Grass-roots Level by Engaging and Strengthening Human Rights Institutions in India". On 12th August, 2011 DGP office[iv] and on 20th August, 2011 National Human Rights Commission[v] took cognizance (case no. 33098/24/34/2011) on complains. On 15th September, 2011 Governor of Uttar Pradesh in its letter no. p-2115/G.S directed to Special Secretary, Home department (http://www.scribd.com/doc/74289927/Letter-of-H-E-Governor-office-to-UP-Government )to take appropriate action in this matter. On 12 November, 2011 PVCHR receive the investigation report from Mukesh Shukla, DIG, Gorakhpur

Sample letter:

Dear………………………
Sub: Please take immediate action in death threat to Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi

I want to bring in your kind attention towards the incidence happened with Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi Secretary General / Executive Director of Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) that on 29th November, 2011 around 5:27 pm he received threatening call from mobile number +94757251733 on his mobile No. +91-9935599333. The caller was abusing by using filthy words after using the words Human Rights. He also threat to life saying "You will be towed" and "if you speak too much you will be shot out". During that time Dr. Lenin was busy in the meeting with its associates in his office and he became distracted.
I am informed that at mean time around 5: 42 pm Dr. Lenin immediately released an urgent release in facebook. Around 6:22 pm Dr. Lenin rang on same number but he did not receive any response from that side. Then again he ranged this time he succeed to know the identity of the caller. The caller said, "My name is J.P Mishra, I am resident of Gorakhpur. You did not know about my power. I can do anything. Son, I have relation with many person you know Tulsi Singh. Now you understand what type of person I am. I lived in Mumbai I can do anything. If you are Governor or Chief Minister of the state, understand I have worth to do anything. Then he threat what is your worth monthly earning of only 10 thousand and 20 thousand". The caller was speaking in Bhojpuri mixed Hindi language.
Immediately letter through email was sent to Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission and Director General of Police and on 30th November, 2011 same letter was sent through post.
I am also informed that high level enquiry is going in the Soharab killing case in Gorakhpur. In this matter on the behalf of organization he made complain. In which the name of Sri Aditya Yogi Nath (Member of Parliament, Bhartiya Janta Party) also came. The caller was also telling he was resident of Gorakhpur. Through his dialogue it seems he was near to the Sri Aditya Yogi Nath ji, because he was assuming Dr. Lenin as any Government officer. He was telling he is making call from South Africa and sometime America.
Therefore it is a kind request to conduct a high level enquiry against the alleged perpetrator and provide security to the Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and the witness.
Thanking You
Sincerely Yours
…………………………….

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1.     Chief Secretary
Government of Uttar Pradesh
Shri Lal Bhadur Shastri Bhavan
Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: +91 52 2223 9283
Email: csup@up.nic.in

2.     Director General of Police
1-Tilak Marg, Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91 522 220 6120 / 220 6174
E-mail: police@up.nic.in

3.     Chief Minister
Government of Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister's Secretariat
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91 52 2223 0002 / 2223 9234
E-mail: csup@up.nic.in

4.     Inspector General of Police
Varanasi Zone
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Email: igzonevns@up.nic.in

5.     Senior Superintendent of Police
Varanasi, SSP Office
Kachahari, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Email: sspvns@up.nic.in

6.     Mrs Margaret Sekaggya
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders Att: Ben Majekodunmi
Room 1-040
C/o OHCHR-UNOG, 1211 Geneva 10,
SWITZERLAND
Tel: + 41 22 917 93 88
Fax: + 41 22 917 9006
E-mail: urgent-action@ohchr.org

7.     Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg,
 New Delhi, PIN 110001
Fax No. 23384863
Attn: Focal point Human Rights Defender

8.     I.G.Police,
Gorakhpur Zone
Tel: 2333707



Lopsided growth

Lenin Raghuvanshi, a Varanasi-based Dalit rights activist, said the government had failed to evolve a policy implementation package that would benefit large sections of the population, particularly the underprivileged. “The single most important thrust of the Mayawati government has been on symbolism. This is reflected in the building of huge commemorative structures in the name of bygone Dalit leaders such as B.R. Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram, and even living leaders like Mayawati. This brings no benefit to the lives of the downtrodden, and there is no concern for this. Even the half-hearted Dalit empowerment [initiative] that has taken place under the government is confined to Mayawati's own Chamar community, leaving communities such as Musahar, considered to be the ‘Dalitest' of Dalits, in the same socio-economic situation they were several decades ago.” Raghuvanshi said the cartels and vested interests referred to in studies such as the one done by the ORF were reported to be business partners of the BSP leadership.

Please read:

http://www.frontline.in/stories/20111216282501300.htm

PVCHR



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Emma Taylor
Date: Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Subject: PVCHR
To: pvchr@pvchr.org


Hi Lenin,


My name is Emma from Accreditedonlinecolleges.org. Just wanted to drop you a line as a new fan of "PVCHR". It's great finding a blog with such informative resources and creative insights.


On a related note, we recently published an article that deals with Books, so we thought you might want to share it with your readers. It's called (40 Best Books About Human Rights), and you can find it here:

(http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/blog/2011/40-best-books-about-human-rights/)


Thanks for your time, and keep up the great work!


Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 


Sincerely,
Emma Taylor




Sunday, November 27, 2011

Submission by PVCHR regarding India for the Universal Periodic Review:State of Impunity


http://www.mynews.in/News/india_state_of_impunity__N411396.html


Submission by PVCHR regarding India for the Universal Periodic Review 13th session

Saturday, November 26, 2011

मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ता-अधिकार दिवस पर आयोजित अधिवेशन एवम अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार दिवस पर आयोजित रैली मे भागीदारी के समबन्ध मे ।


 महोदय / महोदया,

अभिनन्दन !!!
         मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ताओ की ह्त्या और उन पर बढते हमले के परिप्रेक्ष्य मे मानवाधिकार जन निगरानी समिति द्दारा 9 दिसम्बर 2011(10AM) को अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ता – अधिकार दिवस पर एक दिवसीय अधिवेशन का आयोजन पराडकर स्मृति भवन , मैदागिन, वाराणसी मे आयोजित किया जा रहा है। अधिवेशन के मुख्य अतिथि माननीय श्री चितरंजन सिंह – राष्ट्रीय सचिव, पी.यु.सी.एल. एवम विशिष्ट अतिथि – माननीय श्री नागेश्वर पटनायक (इकोनामिक टाईम्स) है । कार्यक्रम प्रात: 11 बजे से प्रारम्भ होगा ।
          10 दिसम्बर 2011 को अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार दिवस पर यातना और संगठित हिंसा के खिलाफ मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ताओ एवम पीडितो द्दारा रैली आयोजित की गयी है ।
          महोदय / महोदया उपरोक्त कार्यक्रम मे आपकी व्यक्तिगत / संस्थागत उपस्थिति आवश्यक एवम वन्दनीय है ।


आपका
डा0 लेनिन
(महासचिव)


40 labourers missing after cranes collapse in Damoh cement factory in which most of the labours were from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: shabana khan <shabana@pvchr.org>
Date: Sat, Nov 26, 2011 at 9:59 AM
Subject: re: 40 labourers missing after cranes collapse in Damoh cement factory in which most of the labours were from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
To: NHRC <ionhrc@nic.in>
Cc: akpnhrc@yahoo.com, Lenin Raghuvanshi <pvchr.india@gmail.com>


To,
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi. 
 
 
Dear Sir,
I want to bring in your kind attention towards the news published in the daily english newspaper Pioneer on 26th November, 2011 abour 40 labour missing after the cranes collapse in Damoh cement factory in which most of the labours were from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhopal/23314-40-labourers-missing-after-cranes-collapse-in-damoh-cement-factory.html

About 40 labourers were reportedly 'missing' from the under construction plant of Diamond Cement Factory (Prop. HeidelbergCement India Limited) in Narsingarh village of Damoh after an accident occurred on Wednesday.

Three cranes of more 120 metres in height collapsed inside the premises on Wednesday afternoon.

Sources said that more than 40 persons including some women were missing after the incident and no information has been given regarding the 'missing persons' by the district administration and management of the cement factory. Sources said that nearly 300 labourers were working when the incident occurred.

Nine persons who were injured in the incident owing to head injuries were sent to Jabalpur. An FSL team of Sagar also reached the spot and took some samples.

Reports confirmed that two persons were seriously injured and were recuperating in a hospital in Jabalpur. A weight of the single crane was 450 tonne and the three cranes were carrying a pipe of 5 tonne when they collapsed.

Meanwhile, sources said that media was restricted to enter inside the premises after the incident for hours.

A Congress leader of the region, Rajesh Tiwari, while talking to The Pioneer said, "I am quite sure that about 40 labourers are missing. The Collector and Superintendent of Police are trying to hush up the case owing to the pressure of mining mafia who are related to the cement factory."

Raising fingers at the district administration, Tiwari further said that just after the incident, the Collector and SP went inside the premises and the media was restricted for hours.

"Why media was not allowed in the premises for first few hours. Just after the incident the remaining labourers were said to leave the premises," he added.

Tiwari confirmed that the labourers were mainly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Commenting over the charges of Tiwari, Collector Shivanand Dubey said that Tiwari was making it a political issue.

However, when asked about the missing people, the Collector said that no one has made any written complaint in this regard till now. "I have not been informed about the missing person till now and if any written complaint is made then I will order an enquiry in this whole issue," Dubey said.

Tiwari claimed that he had made a written complaint to higher authorities and even faxed a memorandum to the Governor Ram Naresh Yadav.

Sources also confirmed that illegal mining is also going on in the nearby river by some mining mafia.

Meanwhile, Tiwari further informed that he was receiving phone calls from some notorious people for not raising the issue of 'missing persons' further.

When The Pioneer tried to contact the management of the factory SK Pandey, the staff informed that the manager of the plant was busy in a meeting. This situation continued for hours in the evening.

Therefore it is kind request please take appropriate action at earliest and ensure the implementation of Factories Act, 1948, Interstate Migration Act. We demand for the compensation to the family of the deseased labour and medical treatment to the labour who are injured.

Thanking You

Sincerely Yours

Lenin Raghuavnshi

Executive Director/Secretary General

People's Vigilance Committee on Human Right

SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi - 221002

Mobile No: +91-9935599333

 

 

 

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Firing probe in Assam rights panel court

 
Issue Date: Tuesday , November 22 , 2011
Firing probe in Assam rights panel court

Guwahati, Nov. 21: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has forwarded a complaint pertaining to the death of four farmers in police firing at Besimari in Darrang district, to the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) for early disposal.

Four farmers lost their lives while around 20 others, including policemen, were injured when security forces opened fire on agitating jute cultivators on October 10.

The agitating farmers blocked National Highway 52 demanding government intervention in regulating jute prices.

An official source said the complaint which was filed at the NHRC by the convener of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights, Lenin Raghuvanshi, last month, had been recently transferred to the Assam Human Rights Commission for appropriate action.

"The grievances raised in the petition relate to matters which are subject to the State and hence the complaint was transferred to state human rights commission under Section 13 (6) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006 for disposal in accordance with the provisions of the act," the source said.

The people's vigilance committee is a Varanasi-based NGO, which is working for the protection of human rights of marginalised people.

Speaking to The Telegraph over phone from New Delhi, Raghuvanshi said they had sought an inquiry by an independent agency into the circumstances in which the police opened fire on the agitating farmers.

They also demanded that the victims of police action be compensated adequately as prima facie their rights have been violated.

In the petition, the NGO had accused the authorities of a "high-handed attitude" towards the farmers.

"According to NHRC guidelines, if death is caused by police firing, then there is a provision for filing an FIR against policemen," Raghuvanshi said.

Soon after the incident, the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a peasants' body, had termed the killing of four farmers in police firing "cold-blooded murder".

RTI activist and KMSS general secretary Akhil Gogoi had stated that the police firing on unarmed farmers was a reflection of the anti-peasant stand of the Tarun Gogoi government.

According to the source, the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has registered the complaint and would seek a reply from Assam police.

"Since former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Aftab Hussain Saikia, who is appointed the AHRC chairman is yet to assume office, the notice has not been issued to the police yet. As soon as he assumes charge, the notice seeking reply from Assam police will be issued," the source said.


बाल अधिकार कंवेंशन दिवस : बनारस में हुआ बाल सम्‍मेलन

http://www.sarokar.net/2011/11/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%AC/

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Follow up case of Human Rights Defender Harilal and Parvez

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: shabana@pvchr.org;
Date: Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Subject: NHRC Case No. 32880/24/44/2010/NH/M-5 Dated 27.8.2010
To: NHRC <ionhrc@nic.in>
Cc: akpnhrc@yahoo.com, Lenin Raghuvanshi <pvchr.india@gmail.com>



22November, 2011
To,
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
Based on our complaint to NHRC pertaining to the killing of Hari Lal, Human Rights Activist, Voice of the People (VOP) in broad daylight in Village Lahna, District Kaushambi, on August 15, 2010, The National Human Rights Commission carried out a thorough investigation vide Case No. 32880/24/44/2010/NH/M-5 dated 27.8.2010 and in its report dated 15.07.2011 observed that the filing of the second FIR which included Parvez Rizvi as an additional accused appeared to be suspect and that the allegation of Parvez Rizvi that he had been falsely implicated in the case deserved serious consideration.

Besides advising the DG Police, UP to initiate action against the Police Officials for not taking appropriate action on the complaints lodged by Hari Lal and others, the NHRC has also advised the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh to assign re-investigation of FIRs 316A/10 and 317/10 of PS Karari.

We are given to understand that despite the above recommendations of NHRC to Chief Secretary, Govt of Uttar Pradesh, summons have been issued to Mr. Parvez Rizvi for appearance in the District Court, Kaushambi on Dec 8. 2011.

Therefore it is kind request please immediately intervened to ascertain action taken by the Chief Secy, Govt of Uttar Pradesh, on its report.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely


(Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi)
Executive Director





Convention on Human Rights Defenders(HRDs)

http://www.pvchr.net/2011/11/first-national-convention-on-hrds.html

Thursday, November 17, 2011

TORTURE, TESTIMONIES OF SURVIVORS AND RIGHT TO HEALTH

TORTURE, TESTIMONIES OF SURVIVORS AND RIGHT TO HEALTH

Invitation



National Consultation on Human Rights Defenders

19-20 November 2011

India Islamic Center, Lodi Road

New Delhi

 

Organised by:

Human Rights Law Network

 

In Collaboration with:

ACHR, AISA , ANHAD, APDP, Human Rights Defenders Alert, IRDS, Lawyers for Human Rights International, MASUM, Naga Mothers Association, Parivartan, PEACE, PVCHR, Surajay Sangharsha Samiti,   

World Sikh Organisation

 

 

Final  Programme Schedule

 

 

Saturday 19th November 2011

 

Time

Topic

Speakers

9.30– 9.45

Key-note address

Paramjeet Kaur, widow of advocate Jaswant Singh Khalra

 

9.45 - 10

Can we ever forget?

Prem Vinning

President, World Sikh Organisation

 

10 - 10.30

Threats to human rights defenders

Dr. Binayak Sen

Kavita Srivastav (PUCL)

10.30 - 11

Role of human rights organizations

Henry Tiphagne (People's Watch)

Harish Dhawan (PUDR)

Kirity Roy (MASUM)

11 – 12

Situation in the Punjab/'84 genocide

·         Adv. Phoolka

·         Adv R.S. Bains

·         Adv Navkiran Singh

·         Adv N.K. Jeet

 

12 -1

Defenders in Kashmir

·         Iftikhar Gilani

·         Parveena (APDP)

·         Adv Arshad Andrabi (J&K Bar Association)

·         Adv G.N. Shaheen (J&K Bar Association)

·         Sanjay Kak

 

1 -2

Lunch

 

2 - 3

Defenders in conflict state

·         Himanshu Kumar (Chhattisgarh)

·         Kopa Kunjam (Chhattisgarh)

·         Zulaikha Jabi (Chattisgarh)

·         Dayamani Barla (Jharkhand)

 

3 - 5

Assaults on the media

·         Shoma Chaudhary

·         Manoj Mitta

·         Harsh Dobhal

·         Ajay T.G.

·         Maqbool Sahil

·         Javed Naqvi

·         Kumar Badal

·         Samiuddin Illiyas Neelu

·         Javed Iqbal

 

5 – 6

Attacks on anti-communal activists

·         Teesta

·         Mukul Sinha

·         Adv Mohmmad Soheb

 

6 – 7

Attacks on trade unions

·         Gautam Modi

·         Rakhi Sehgal (NTUI)

·         Pradeep (Maruti Suzuki Union)

·         P.C. Tiwari

·         Gayatri Singh

 

8 p.m.

Dinner

 

 

Sunday 20th November 2011

 

Date

Issue

Speaker

9 – 10.30

 

 

Assaults on RTI activists

·         Shailesh Gandhi (Chair)

·         Shekhar Singh     (Chair)

·         Santosh Koli, Parivartan

·         Dr. Nutan Thakur (IRDS)

·         Vijay Kumbhar, Maharashtra

 

10.30 – 11.30

Role of lawyers

·         Prashant Bhushan

·         Maharukh Adenwala

·         Amarnath Pandey, Chhattisgarh

·         Shamin Modi  (M.P.)

·         Maja Daruwala

 

11.30 -12.30

 

Situation of defenders in the North-East

·         Sharmila's case : Singhajeet (Justice for Peace Foundation)

·         Babloo Loitongbam

·         Rosemary (Naga Mothers Association)

·         Nava Thakuria (Guwahati Press Club)

 

12.30 – 1.30

Attacks on environmental activists

 

·         Abhay Sahoo (Orissa)

·         Nasir Bhai

·         Sudesh Banjan

1.30 – 2

Lunch

 

2-2.15

2.15 – 2.30

Politics of hate

Discussion

Mallika Sarabai

 

2.30 – 3.30

Assaults on activists

·         Sandeep Singh (AISA)

·         Tenzin Tsundue (Tibetan activist)

·         Rajat Kalsan (Mirchpur case)

3.30 – 4

Shabnam Hashmi (Chair)

Open session with Sanjiv Bhatt

 

4.30 – 6

Defending the defenders: strategies:

·         Action alerts

·         Legal aid

·         Medical aid

·         Media coverage

·         Documentation

·         Counseling

·         Campaigns

·         Sharing resources,

 

 

·         Suhas Chakma, ACHR (Chair)

·         Henry Tiphagne (Human Rights Defenders Alert)

·         Satnam Singh Bains

·         Paramjeet Kaur

·         Balpreet Singh (WSO)

·         Lenin, PVCHR

·         Anil Choudhary, PEACE