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Announcement of Awardees of the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights
India is one of Asias leading nations, boasting a brilliant civilization
developed throughout its long history. However, its outdated social class
system, the caste system, has long been indicated by the international
community as one of the biggest obstacles to national development as well as
the advancement of its citizens basic human rights, since this system still
holds sway over the reality of the Indian society through a rigid set of
religious practices, despite its prohibition by national law.
In addition, the military powers of India have become the focus of
international attention. This concerns the Armed Forces Special Powers
Act(AFSPA) enacted in 1958, which is operative at the time of a suspected
riot(s) in order to maintain public order. As this law allows killing by
shooting, entering and search of property, and arbitrary detention, etc., its
abuse is currently spawning grave human rights violations in some parts of
India. Still, the practical near-impossibility of indicting the abusive
military person(s) concerned is a more serious problem.
The 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee came to take a deep
interest in the above two problems encountered by the Indian society today.
The caste system is composed mainly of 4 castes, and those who fall outside
of this system altogether are often called the untouchables. As the fifth
caste, the untouchables are living across the nation, accounting for around 15%
of the total Indian population. Traditionally, they have been engaged in the
hardest and most difficult jobs in the Indian society, bearing the brunt of
rigid caste-based discrimination in terms of residence, occupation, etc.
Although the caste system was banned under the Indian constitution 50 years
ago, it persists throughout all aspects of the present-day Indian civil
society, proving powerfully effective in some 80% of the total Indian
provinces.
Lenin Raghuvanshi and the Peoples Vigilance Committee On Human Rights,
PVCHR) led by him, have put up vehement resistance against the caste system
through various social activities, including the supporting of torture victims
in 5 northern states with 50,000 members participating, and the operation of
education centers in 45 viilages for the numerous number of local children.
This organization has developed into a nationwide and worldwide network
composed of legal experts, journalists, human rights advocacy groups, etc.
Also, its leader has brought hope back to the minds of more than 3,500 bonded
child laborers and those suffering human rights infringements prompted by the
caste system, especially to the untouchables.
On November 2nd, 2000, the Indian military opened fire on its own citizens in
the state of Manipur. This was one of the many such incidents following the
enactment of the AFSPA. Since the incident in Manipur, Irom Sharmila, a
resident of the tragic state, has refused to eat and drink anything in
resistance to indiscriminate use of the AFSPA against civilians. The response
of the Indian government to her resistance has been repetitively evasive: the
government has arrested her on a charge of attempted suicide, force-fed her
and then freed her under applicable law, but, up until now, has failed to
provide any fundamental alternative to the law in question. In October 2006,
Ms. Sharmila left Manipur for New Delhi, the capital of India, at the peril of
her own life, to facilitate the accomplishment of the goal of her 6-year-long
struggle, i.e. the abolishment of the AFSPA. However, her daring mission was
brought to an abrupt halt when she was arrested by the New Delhi
police on her second day in the city. Currently, she is in custody at Ram
Manohar Lohia Hospital(RMH).
In recognition of their efforts to improve human rights in India, the 2007
Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Selection Committee has selected Lenin
Raghuvanshi and Irom Sharmila as co-recipients of the award. Regardless of the
difference in the methods respectively employed, they both have fought for the
same noble cause of the advancement of human rights and social justice, yet
they still have a long way to go. The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights will
provide boost in their further struggles. It can make the two awardees and
their struggles known to a wider audience while offering them the strength and
courage required to complete their journey towards their goals. We believe
there lies the principal objective of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. In
closing, the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee would like to send
an encouraging message to all human rights activists around the world as well
as this years co-awardees.
The 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee
Committee Chairman: Lee, Hong-Gil
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the May 18 Memorial Foundation
Committee Members:
Kim, Chil-Jun
Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission,
Jeong, Ui-Yong
Korean National Assemblyman,
Moon, Guk-Joo
Executive Director of the Korea Democracy Foundation,
Cha, Sung-Hwan
Director of the Pusan Democratic Movement Memorial Association
The same could be found at
http://eng.518.org/main.html?TM18MF=B04&bc_table=ENG_NOTICE&form_act=V&bnum=24&page=1
What is Gwangju Prize for Human Rights?
Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award 2007
The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award was established to celebrate the
spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising by recognizing both individuals, groups
or institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and
advancing human rights, democracy and peace in their work. The prize is awarded
by the citizens of Gwangju in the spirit of solidarity and gratitude from those
whom they have received help in their struggle for democratization and search
for truth. It is hoped that through this award the spirit and message of the
May 18 will be immortalized in the hearts and mind of humankind.
The previous winner of Gwangju Prize for Human Rights are:
1) 2000 : Xanana Gusmao (President of East Timor)
2) 2001 : Basil Fernando (Executive Director of AHRC, Hong Kong)
3) 2002 : Korean Association of Bereaved Families for Democracy (South Korea)
4) 2003 : Dandeniya Gamage Jayanthi (Monument for The Disappeared, Sri Lanka)
5) 2004 : Aung San Suu Kyi (NLD General Secretary, Burma)
6) 2005 : Wardah Hafidz (UPC General Secretary, Indonesia)
7) 2006 : Angkhana Neelaphaijit (Thailand) and Malalai Joya (Member of
Parliament, Afghanistan)
To read more about Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2007, please cut and paste
the link below:
http://eng.518.org/main.html?TM18MF=B04&bc_table=ENG_NOTICE&form_act=V&bnum=22&page=1#none
Web linkage about Lenin and PVCHR
http://www.ndtvblogs.com/views/viewblogs.asp?gl_guid=&blogname=pvchr&q_userid=11488
http://www.upelectionwatch.blogspot.com/
http://www.infochangeindia.org/changemakers14.jsp
http://www.universalrights.net/heroes/display.php3?id=101
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.antiwto.blogspot.com
www.sapf.blogspot.com
www.rtfcup.blogspt.com
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/threat_to_life_of_advocate_for_1.html
http://www.ashoka.org/node/2851
http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Interactive-Awardee/transcripts/ts-davide.htm
http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=2632
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/we_beat_our_children_to_sleep.html
http://www.fian.org/live/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=50
http://trishna.foodjustice.net/mainfile.php/011718/104/
http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/137977/1/2229
http://www.perditahustonaward.com/nominations/2006_finalists.html
http://www.global-sisterhood-network.org/content/view/784/76/
http://floatingsun.net/udai/files/Varanasi_Weavers_Crisis.pdf
www.pvchr.org
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061206/cth1.htm
http://www.thaingo.org/cgi-bin/content/content3/show.pl?0733
http://www.global-sisterhood-network.org/content/view/638/76/
http://s1.iphide.com/perl/nph-a.pl/000110A/http/www.thesouthasian.org/archives/cat_governance.html
http://www.rghr.net/mainfile.php/0842/1185/
http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Industries-envirn-resettlement/2002/kiln.htm
http://www.freeindiamedia.com/human_rights/16_march_human_rights2.htm
http://www.hrea.org/lists/hr-headlines/markup/msg02945.html
http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth/msg/8e725294957979c3
http://india.indymedia.org/en/2003/03/3929.shtml
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8400021.cms
http://www.craftrevival.org/Varanasi/Discussion/Lenin1.htm
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1727/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1545/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/690/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1884/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/840/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1209/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1221/
http://www.ahrchk.net/pr/mainfile.php/2006mr/359/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2007/2205/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2075/?print=yes
http://www.infochangeindia.org/agenda6_03.jsp
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/930408838?ltl=1173954245
http://www.laborrights.org/press/sweatshops/indiaweaving_dpa_120705.htm
http://www.rghr.net/mainfile.php/0840/1179/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1203/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/817/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ahrc-in-news/mainfile.php/2006ahrcinnews/596/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2280/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1270/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1553/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1727/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2007/2255/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2075/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1421/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1564/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2007/2187/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1481/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2004/800/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1459/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1438/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1252/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2007statements/901/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1717/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2086/
www.webspawner.com/users/pvchr
www.pucl.org/Topics/Human-rights/2002/hr-defenders.htm
www.pucl.org/Topics/ Industries-envirn-resettlement/2002/kiln.htm
www.ashoka.org/fellows/viewprofile3.cfm?reid=96985
www.southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/72270/1/1809
www.foodjustice.net/ha/mainfile.php/ha2004/32
www.sabrang.com/news/oct5.htm
www.thesouthasian.org/archives/000271.html
www.ased.org/artman/publish/printer_678.shtml
india.indymedia.org/en/2003/03/3929.shtml
www.changemakers.net/pointofview/pov3.cfm
www.dailynews.lk/2004/06/21/letters.html
trishna.foodjustice.net/mainfile.php/0106/32/
www.infochangeindia.org/changemakers.jsp
www.hrw.org/reports/2003/india/India0103-02.htm
www.indianngos.com/issue/child/ overall/people/uttarpradesh/ngosvaranasi.htm
www.un.or.th/ohchr/SR/News/2005/ DailyNewsBulletin/6/10%20June%202005.doc
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1533/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1561/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2128/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2005statements/351/
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