Dear Working Group Members,
You have sent many suggestions for resources to the Working Group. We have
compiled them here for the period 8-14 July 2002. We hope these resources
will be useful in your efforts to end violence against women.
Thanks again for all your messages!
Warm regards,
the Moderators
******************
RESOURCES SUBMITTED TO
THE END-VIOLENCE WORKING GROUP
8 - 14 JULY 2002
Contents
A. ARTICLES/NEWS
1. India shamefully joins the United States in the sidelines (Press
statement Women's Caucus for Gender Justice)
2. Pakistan: Tribal councils source of abuse (Human Rights Watch Press Release)
B. CAMPAIGNS
3. Online Petition: Break the silence about - violence on women (Pakistan)
C. PUBLICATIONS
4. Turning the Tide: CEDAW and the Gender Dimensions of the HIV/AIDS
Pandemic (UNIFEM)
5. UN Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking
************************************************************
A. ARTICLES/NEWS
1. India shamefully joins the United States in the sidelines
Women's Caucus for Gender Justice - PRESS STATEMENT, July 10, 2002
India shamefully joins the United States in the sidelines
While an overwhelming number of countries are joining as states
parties to the historic International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty,
India chooses to remain in the sidelines and closely align with the
United States in its attempts to hold peace-keeping operations
hostage in exchange for immunities from the ICC's jurisdiction.
Supporting the United States's resolution today in an open debate
at
the Security Council, India echoed sentiments that threaten the
continuation of United Nations' peace-keeping operations or undermine
the integrity and independence of the ICC.
It is unclear why India degenerates to the position of the United
States on the matter. On its own admission, 'there has never been an
instance of a peacekeeper committing a grievous or heinous crime.' If
this dubious claim is true, India has no reason to worry about them
coming under the ICC's jurisdiction. The reason then is presumably,
protection from 'exposing troops contributors to harassment' and
difficulty in accepting an 'outside authority sitting in judgment of
one's country's troops.' There was no explanation of why they
consider the complimentary principle of the ICC statute, which
respects a country's primary authority to judge its citizens,
inadequate. Nor did they show much faith in the ability of
their 'independent judiciary' to try or thwart the possible
politically motivated charges against its peace-keepers.
"It is shameful how, in an era where the rest of the world is
celebrating the coming into existence of an International Criminal
Court heralding rule of law and ending impunity to heinous crimes,
India, known formerly for its policies of non-alignment, is the only
country supporting and assisting the United States to pursue its
national interests thereby undermining the interests of humanity as a
whole. India is making a grave mistake if she considers her national
interests matches those of the United States," says Vahida Nainar of
the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice. She wondered if India's
ambition to be admitted as permanent member of the Security Council
has anything to do with this newfound compatibility with the United
States.
In its earlier statements at the United Nations, India had expressed
doubts on the acceptability of the ICC statute to most countries. It
is unfortunate that even 139 countries signing, 76 ratifications and
the coming into force of the ICC treaty in a matter of four years
does not convince India of the widespread acceptability of the treaty
and its urgent need today. India has much to offer to the
development of international law, promotion of human rights and end
impunity. It is never too late to come on board and participate in a
process that could potentially be an alternative mechanism to deal
with conflict issues. It is deplorable to watch India stand with the
United States against a matter that has tremendous support of the
international community.
*****************
Women's Caucus for Gender Justice
33-53 Vernon Blvd, Ste 1
Long Island City, NY 11106
T: 718-6262681
F: 718-626-3528
www.iccwomen.org
----------
2. Pakistan: Tribal councils source of abuse (Human Rights Watch Press Release)
(New York, July 12, 2002) The gang rape case of Mukhtaran Bibi highlights
the urgent need to investigate the role of tribal councils in Pakistan,
Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch sent a letter this week
to President Musharraf urging scrutiny of the role of such councils in
abuses against women in Pakistan.
On June 22, during a Mastoi tribal council meeting in the village of
Meerwala, in southern Punjab, four men, including one of the tribal
council members, allegedly raped Mukhtaran Bibi, a thirty-year-old member
of the Gujjar tribe. The rape, which occurred in the presence of a large
number of villagers, was intended as "punishment" for the conduct of her
brother, Abdul Shaqoor, who had been seen with an unchaparoned woman from
the Mastoi Tribe. The woman, Salma Bibi, is now reportedly in police
custody with her mother. Mukhtaran Bibi was forced to return home naked
after the rape before a crowd of Mastoi villagers. The victim is reported
to have said that members of the Mastoi also raped her brother, and that
police allegedly asked for a bribe of 11,000 rupees (U.S.$180) for his
release from police custody.
"These tribal councils must not be used as vehicles to deny women their
rights and physically assault them," said LaShawn R. Jefferson, Executive
Director of the Women's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. "Pakistani
officials must ensure that tribal councils operate in ways that respect
the rule of law and women's equality."
In its letter, Human Rights Watch said that although a number of
individuals identified as perpetrators in the assaults against Mukhtaran
Bibi have been arrested, the Pakistan government authorities need to
ensure that investigations proceed with respect for due process and
accountability for the offenses committed, and provide for the full
protection of the victims and their families.
Human Rights Watch also requested clarification on the role of the police
in the case, particularly the allegations of bribery by the police and the
reported detentions of Abdul Shaqoor, Salma Bibi, and her mother.
In a 1999 report, Crime or Custom: Violence against Women in Pakistan
(http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/pakistan/), Human Rights Watch documented
the high level of violence against women in Pakistan and the often
insurmountable institutional and legal discrimination that impedes and
discourages women from seeking justice, and, in the worst cases,
traumatizes them further.
HRW Press Release
--------------
B. CAMPAIGNS
3. Online Petition: Break the silence about - violence on women (Pakistan)
URGENT
activists, friends and readers, we request u to read and sign this petition
before 25th of July
Shahnaz Bukhari
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/pwaisbd/petition.html
LET US 'BREAK THE SILENCE '
WE CONDEMN - the JIRGA SYSTEM, SODOMY AND GANG RAPE
Dear Friends and Pakistani's,
endorse this PETITION, this is the time for Solidarity against humiliation
of women in name of "Traditions and Customs," by 'Remaining Silent,' all we
are doing is condoning this crime....... .............................do
not feel guilty come and JOIN us!!
The members of Progressive Women's Association, a Pakistani women's right
organisation URGES YOU TO SIGN AND FORWARD the petition to your friends
sympathisers /humanitarian GROUPS and mailing LISTS for further endorcements.
a woman, Mukhtaran Mai who taught Quran the holy book .. to the village
children, was gang-raped on the orders of a local village jury --- (some
wise and religious men of the area... called Jirga or Panchayat, in a
Punjab village.) She kept begging for mercy in the name of God, but no one
from the crowd dared to object to the verdict of the traditional jury, or
Panchayat for fear of their lives.
Mukhtaran Mai and her father Ghulam Farid Gujjar said the incident happened
on June 22, but was registered as a complaint by police only about a week
later, when the incident leaked out by some local journalist in
media....and we the local NGOs pursued it
Psyche of disrespect for women has become abnormal. This issue is not
simply gender related, it has a very deep rooted CAST flavour. Our
frustrated society has become so indulged in perversion that they see the
solution of most disputes in desecrating women which is really something
very ominous
The endorced petition will be sent to The President, Law minister, Amnesty
International and to the Pakistani Authorities. We jointly demand action
...............
* speedy Justice to the victims, Mai and her brother
* severe Punishment to perpetrators and legitimizers, including the police
and the administration, so it becomes a deterrent for the entire nation.
* abolish extra-Judicial Structures eg. Jirgas, Panchayats or any such
Local justice systems... as they believe in revival of humiliating, such
traditions and punishments.
* stop violence against women at all levels, and repeal Hudood Ordinance,
which discriminate against against the women.
This Petition would pressurize Pakistani authorities and strenghten their
hands against the tough challenge of lawlessness. Please forward this email
to as many people and lists that you know of as possible.
Friends unfortunatenl apathy - ignorance and shamelessness on our behalfs,
as muslims, as human beings has reached an all-time high.
Please let this gangrape incident not be history, consigned to the dustbin
of national shame till another woman will be raped, another lad sodomised,
and another life traumatised, with the chorus of do-gooders shouting that
justice will be done and the culprits will be brought to book............
But let us fulfil our duty, stop this erosion of moral values from our
lives ..... CONDEMN IT, shoot it to others for endorsement, even if you do
not agree partially with this petition, PLEASE ENDORSE IT .... to
strengthen this movement in the name of humanity.
Your cooperation and solidarity with our struggle is highly appreciated.
May God be with us
Shahnaz Bukhari. chief coordinator Progressive Women's Association
#24a, st.38. sectorF8/1 ph. 2252829. 5559486 Islamabad. Pakistan
[EMAIL PROTECTED] US Miami ... ph. 305 818 9919
annex. CASE BACKGROUND
this is an event of 22nd June 2002 in a remote village Jatoi of
Muzaffargarh in Multan District, Pakistan. an 18-year-old girl was gang
raped on holy orders of a ' judicious panchayat' comprising the area's
leading intellectual and elderly members. A drooling and sanctimonious
crowd of about a thousand, witnessed the event. as a punishment of a crime
that she did not commit.
This punishment was meted out to reclaim the honour of the higher caste
tribe -- were they Muzaffargarh's Brahmins? they alleged that an
15-year-old from a lower tribe -- was friendly to one of their young girl.
To bear the punishment for her brother's cardinal sin the boy's sister was
brought to a public place and was subsequently raped by four men from the
superior tribe, committing "collective immorality"
A jurist of the panchayat, who had already sodomised her brother was one of
the rapist, the boy is still in police 'safe custody.' His sister, after
they were done with her, was forced to walk home, naked and in shame from
within the in human callous crowd
We condemn and demand action from the Pakistan
governament,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Readers u can write letters to condemn this heinous crime too :
General Pervez Musharraf,
President of Islamic. Republic of Pakistan
President House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: 92-51-9203938, E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Send copies to:
Lt. Gen (r) Moin Uddin Haider, Minsiter of Interior,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: 92-51-9202624
Justice Sheikh Riaz Ahmed, Chief Justice of Pakistan
Supreme Court of Pakistan,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +92 (51) 9213452 Tel: +92 (51) 9220581 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dr. Maleeha Lodhi
Ambassador to United States of America
2315 MASSACHUSETTS AVE.
N.W. WASHINGTON D.C. 20008
Tel No. 202-939-6200
----------
C. PUBLICATIONS
4. Turning the Tide: CEDAW and the Gender Dimensions of the HIV/AIDS
Pandemic (UNIFEM)
"Turning the Tide: CEDAW and the Gender Dimensions of the HIV/AIDS
Pandemic," contributes to understanding how the world's foremost blueprint
for women's human rights can be put to work to address the HIV/AIDS
epidemic from a gender perspective. The publication discusses different
aspects of the pandemic for which CEDAW has special relevance, such as
gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, access to health services,
gender inequality and safer sex, and issues of care and care-giving. The
book also contains some of the key government responses that are required
under CEDAW, guiding articles of the Convention, and statements of the
CEDAW Committee that relate to HIV/AIDS.
New York: The United Nations Development Fund for Women, 2001
ISBN 0-912917-56-3
Available in full-text at: http://www.undp.org/unifem/public/turningtide/
----------
5. UN Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking
The "Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights" and "Human
Trafficking Report" of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights to the Economic and Social Council are now available on-line:
<http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/TestFrame/caf3deb2b05d4f35c1256
bf30051a003?Opendocument>
<http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/TestFrame/caf3deb2b05d4f35c1256
bf30051a003?Opendocument>
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